'He Is Doing Fantastic Job': Dravid Hails KL Rahul's Keeping

image-lo039ka0KL Rahul keeping against Bangladesh [X.Com]

Rahul Dravid is mighty impressed with KL Rahul's wicketkeeping prowess on display during the ICC World Cup 2023. The Indian head coach believes the experienced middle-order batter has "kept superbly" and provided the bowlers great support by taking every possible opportunity behind the stumps. 

Dravid applauded Rahul for transitioning into India's first-choice wicketkeeper despite solidifying his position first as a specialist batter. Mindful of how difficult the dual job is, the coach recalled his own days under the sun as a wicketkeeper for India and amusingly deemed Rahul a better glover than he ever was.

Rahul was lavished with big praise for an excellent take down the leg-side during the match against Pakistan in Ahmedabad and given the 'fielder of the match' award by India's fielding coach T Dilip for his understated impact on India's comprehensive win versus the arch-rivals. 

Dravid Lauds KL Rahul The Wicketkeeper 

"KL Rahul has been doing a fantastic job," said Dravid at the presser ahead of India's next match on Sunday (October 22) in Dharamshala against New Zealand. 

The coach acknowledged the great contribution made by Rahul with his keeping skills in India's consecutive triumphs at the beginning of the tournament, taking five catches in four innings to provide bowlers the much-needed support in good batting conditions. 

"Rahul has really kept superbly in this tournament and batted really well whenever he has got a chance. It is a challenge since he is not someone who keeps regularly. He's kept a bit more than I did but it's still challenging considering that he came back from a long injury," Dravid said. 

The coach emphasized how Rahul had to work extensively hard during his rehabilitation programme from a hamstring injury over six months to be able to regain full fitness for the World Cup. Apart from his brilliance as a keeper, Rahul played a priceless knock of 97* against Australia and has contributed 150 runs from his three innings with just one dismissal in the campaign. 

"We thought we would build him up and play him in matches leading up to the World Cup but couldn’t do that because of his injury," the coach said. "The way he came back and worked hard is great. He’s kept really well and it's really good to see, which gives us a lot of confidence in his abilities."