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He's had some great performances over the tournament. He's had to rebuild a lot of the times: Klusener

KL Rahul has not done bad at all with the bat in IPL 2024: LSG back under fire skipper

LSG backed their under fire skipper and stated that KL Rahul might feel a bit frustrated but he has not done "bad at all" with the bat.

<h2>He's had some great performances over the tournament. He's had to rebuild a lot of the times: Klusener</h2>

KL Rahul might feel a bit frustrated but he has not done "bad at all" with the bat, said assistant coach Lance Klusener, who feels the Lucknow Super Giants skipper was forced to curb his attacking instincts with wickets falling around him this IPL.
Rahul, who has been in focus for his strike rate more often than not, is the seventh highest run-getter this season with 465 runs at 136.36 in 13 matches including three fifties and yet LSG find themselves on the brink of elimination.
On Friday, the seventh-placed LSG will take on Mumbai Indians in what would be the final group match for both the teams in this IPL.
"He's had some great performances over the tournament. He's had to rebuild a lot of the times. We've lost wickets around him. We haven't allowed him to play his natural game," Klusener replied when asked if the skipper was burdened with the captaincy role combined with getting runs for his side.
&ldquo;It's easy to just sit and think, &lsquo;oh, well, he hasn't had a great tournament'. But if you look at his numbers, they're actually not bad at all, considering the circumstances that he's had to bat,&rdquo; he told the media during LSG&rsquo;s training session here at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
&ldquo;He's got the respect of the group. In terms of his captaincy, it's been outstanding. (But) if he looks back, he might just be a little frustrated with the amount of runs that he scored,&rdquo; Klusener said.
The former South African cricketer said Rahul was left to rebuild the innings on several occasions during the league phase which did not allow him to flourish with his natural game.
&ldquo;If you look at the circumstances, he's had to rebuild a lot of the time while he's been batting, so the batting group around him haven't done him too many favours either,&rdquo; he said.
Klusener also refused to put the blame on any specific reason as to why the team failed to perform up to its potential.
&ldquo;I'm a big believer that the bowling group plays a huge role in winning T20 games. But there's no blame at anyone's door,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;It's just a consistency as a group that has led us down this year. We haven't scored enough runs and again, we haven't taken enough wickets as well. You put all that together and that's why you end up where we are on the log." Klusener said they still have a chance of making IPL playoffs &mdash; given they beat MI on Friday and other results go their way &mdash; and would focus on winning.
&ldquo;We're not resigned to any fact. We're just in a position where we can only make sure that we get over the line tomorrow. We've had enough opportunities over the course of the competition to make sure we don't have to rely on others,&rdquo; he said.
Mumbai Indians&rsquo; Naman Dhir, meanwhile, admitted that MI&rsquo;s bowlers could have done better to support Jasprit Bumrah, who is second in the list of most successful bowlers with 20 wickets.
&ldquo;Sometimes we batted well or sometimes we bowled well. The coaches have also spoken with us that it was not our season, yet we worked hard. Yes, Jasprit bhai did not get enough support to his bowling in some matches, but we will learn from it,&rdquo; he said.

This spectacular effort sent Shai Hope back to the pavilion for 38 runs, significantly impacting the game's dynamics. The wicket not only halted the flourishing partnership but also provided the Lucknow Super Giants with a much-needed breakthrough.

Watch: KL Rahul takes a difficult diving catch on second attempt to dismiss Shai Hope | DC vs LSG IPL

LSG captain KL Rahul took a superb catch to dismiss Delhi Capitals' Shai Hope.

Tap to watch

#DCvLSG #KLRahul #IPL2024

This spectacular effort sent Shai Hope back to the pavilion for 38 runs, significantly impacting the game's dynamics. The wicket not only halted the flourishing partnership but also provided the Lucknow Super Giants with a much-needed breakthrough.

LSG captain KL Rahul showcased his exceptional fielding skills to dismiss Delhi Capitals' Shai Hope during a thrilling match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Rahul's pivotal catch brought an end to a threatening 92-run partnership between Shai Hope and Abishek Porel, a stand that had the potential to swing the game in favor of the Delhi Capitals and away from the Lucknow Super Giants.
The moment of brilliance came in the 10th over with Ravi Bishnoi delivering a flat ball. Shai Hope, batting confidently, struck the ball with immense power towards the cover region. Positioned at cover, KL Rahul made an initial attempt to catch the ball to his right, but the sheer force and awkward height of the shot made it challenging. The ball popped out of his hands and lobbed to his right. Demonstrating quick reflexes and agility, Rahul swiftly moved, diving and managing to secure the catch with both hands just before the ball could touch the ground.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Taken on the second attempt 😎 Partnership broken thanks to a Klassy catch 💪 Watch the match LIVE on <a href="https://twitter.com/JioCinema?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JioCinema</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StarSportsIndia</a> 💻📱<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCvLSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCvLSG</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/klrahul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@klrahul</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/LucknowIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LucknowIPL</a> <a href="https://t.co/0EVa392SKT">pic.twitter.com/0EVa392SKT</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1790395049190064398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
This spectacular effort sent Shai Hope back to the pavilion for 38 runs, significantly impacting the game's dynamics. The wicket not only halted the flourishing partnership but also provided the Lucknow Super Giants with a much-needed breakthrough.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/t20-world-cup/watch-ravi-shastri-reveals-his-funny-way-to-get-rishabh-pant-from-not-playing-reverse-sweep-1715688432648">Watch: Ravi Shastri reveals his funny way to get Rishabh Pant from not playing reverse sweep</a>

They didn't give us a chance to know what the pitch played in the second innings: KL Rahul

KL Rahul left shell-shocked with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma Mayhem | IPL 2024, SRH vs LSG

LSG skipper KL Rahul said they were completely outplayed by the incredible power-hitting of SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma terming it "unreal batting."

<h2>They didn't give us a chance to know what the pitch played in the second innings: KL Rahul</h2>

Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul on Wednesday said they were completely outplayed by the incredible power-hitting of Sunrisers Hyderabad's openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma terming it "unreal batting." Head and Sharma added another chapter to their remorseless domination over bowlers while carving lightning fast unbeaten fifties to power SRH to a convincing 10-wicket win over LSG in a crucial IPL match.
Chasing a modest 166, Head (89 not out, 30 balls, 8x4s, 8x6s) and Sharma (75 not out, 28 balls, 8x4s, 6x6s) toyed with LSG bowlers, finding boundaries and sixes at will to canter home in just 9.4 overs.
"I am at lost for words. We have watched that kind of batting on TV. But this is unreal batting. Everything seemed to find the middle of the bat. Kudos to their skills. They have worked hard on their six hitting skills.
"They didn't give us a chance to know what the pitch played in the second innings. It was hard to stop them as they teed off from ball one," he said.
This was after SRH bowlers started brilliantly before Badoni (55 not out off 30 balls) and Pooran (48 not out off 25 balls) stitched crucial 95-runs off 55 balls for the unbeaten fifth-wicket stand to guide LSG to a competitive 165 for four on a sluggish pitch.
Rahul blamed the defeat on their poor display with the bat in powerplay, from which they scored just 27 runs for the loss of two wickets.
"Once you are on the losing side, there are question marks on the decisions taken. We were 40-50 runs short. When we lost wickets in the powerplay, we couldn't get any momentum.
"Ayush (Badoni) and Nicky (Nicholas Pooran) batted well to get us to 166. But even if we would have got 240, they could have chased it as well," he admitted.
SRH skipper Pat Cummins said that it was an "unreal" batting display from Head and Sharma.
"The boys (Head and Sharma) have had a fantastic season, but to win this with less than 10 overs played is unreal," he said.
"We just let them go, they are two guys who are very positive and I'm a bowler, it is tough for me to give them any inputs." Cummins was effusive in his praise for both Head and Sharma.
"He's (Head) been like this for 2 years, he hits the tough areas, hits the middle a lot, might not be super conventional.
"(Abhishek) Just an incredible player of spin and pace. With just 2 fielders out, it is really difficult for the bowlers against them," he said.
Head, who was adjudged player-of-the-match for his pyrotechnics, said he was really enjoying batting with Sharma as they compliment each other well.
"Lots of fun today. Nice to get this done in 10 overs. Abhi (Sharma) and I have had a few partnerships like this. Just concentrate on getting in good positions, watch the ball hard and try to maximise the powerplay," he said.
"I know how hard he (Abhishek Sharma) works and how deep he thinks, his spin play is second to none. We compliment each other very well. Nice to see him back amongst the runs after missing out in the last couple of games." Abhishek thanks Lara, Yuvraj ===================== After his hurricane fifty, Abhishek thanked two left-handers, who had thrilled the audience during their playing days, for his success in the on-going IPL -- Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara.
"I think the hard work I put in before the tournament is showing now, thanks to Yuvi Paaji, Brian (Lara) as well and my father, who is my first coach," he said.
Abhishek also thanked the SRH team management for the trust shown in him.
"I would never think of coming to such a tournament and playing at such a strike rate, but thanks to the team management.
"The message was clear from them and I backed myself." There was a special mention of his opening partner -- Head.
"All the credit goes to him (Head). The way he starts against all bowlers...he goes after them from the start and takes the pressure off me."

Rishabh Pant was considered a sure-shot selection after he made an impressive return from a 15-month injury break at the IPL. The selectors, however, opted for Kerala batter Sanju Samson as the second option ahead of Rahul.

Video: Why was KL Rahul not selected for T20 World Cup? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar answers

Rishabh Pant was considered a sure-shot selection after he made an impressive return from a 15-month injury break at the IPL. The selectors, however, opted for Kerala batter Sanju Samson as the second option ahead of Rahul.

BCCI announced Team India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup on April 30 and while the squad was anticipated, there were few comebacks and some surprising exclusions. Rinku Singh's exclusion was the most surprising one however, KL Rahul's snub also came in as a surprise for the fans.
Providing clarity on KL Rahul's exclusion, BCCI's chief selector, while addressing the media said, "KL is a terrific player. We all know that. The thing we are obviously looking at is guys who bat in the middle. At the moment, KL is batting at the top. Rishabh, not opening the innings. We feel Sanju has the ability to come down the order if need be. Rishabh is batting at 5 for Delhi. That was more the thinking. It wasn't whether KL is better or these guys are better. It's about the slots that we needed and we felt these two are better equipped at this point or have spent bit more time in the latter part of the innings which might be needed in the World Cup. So, that's mainly the thinking. Two incredible players as well"
Lucknow Super Giants captain is currently among the top five scorers in the Indian Premier League with 406 runs to his name in 10 games.

By the end of the 13th over, LSG had reached 135/3, but the expected late onslaught to push the score past the 200-mark didn&rsquo;t materialize. Instead, LSG could only finish with&nbsp; 196/5.

IPL 2024: Fifties from KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda take LSG to 196 despite poor start against RR

At 135/3 after 13 overs, a late onslaught was on the cards but the much-needed flourish never arrived for LSG. 

Here's how the innings panned out.

#IPL2024 #LSGvRR

<h2>By the end of the 13th over, LSG had reached 135/3, but the expected late onslaught to push the score past the 200-mark didn&rsquo;t materialize. Instead, LSG could only finish with&nbsp; 196/5.</h2>

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) saw a significant shift in momentum after a shaky start to their innings. Put into bat first, LSG initially faltered, losing opener Quinton de Kock and No. 3 Marcus Stoinis in the opening overs, which could have spelled disaster. However, the tide turned dramatically thanks to a stellar partnership between captain KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda.
From a precarious position of 11/2, Rahul and Hooda took control, steering their team through troubled waters with a combination of careful strategy and assertive batting. The pair successfully stitched together a 115-run stand, marking it as the third-highest partnership in the history of the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. This significant effort by the duo stabilized the innings and laid a solid foundation for a competitive total.
Their partnership not only helped LSG recover from early losses but also set the stage for a potential high scoring innings as they ramped up the run rate to around 10. Hooda played a crucial role in this partnership, crafting a well-made 50 before getting dismissed. His departure, however, led to a slight dip in the team's run rate, which coincided with Nicholas Pooran&rsquo;s struggle to make an impact at the crease.
Following Pooran's quick exit, the situation worsened when KL Rahul, after anchoring the innings with a commendable 76, was also dismissed. This double blow allowed the Rajasthan team to claw their way back into the contest, shifting the momentum once again.
By the end of the 13th over, LSG had reached 135/3, but the expected late onslaught to push the score past the 200-mark didn&rsquo;t materialize. Instead, LSG concluded their innings at 196/5, a total that was competitive yet somewhat short of what seemed possible during the heights of Rahul and Hooda&rsquo;s partnership.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/t20-world-cup/hardik-pandya-shouldn-t-be-given-so-much-priority-irfan-pathan-ahead-of-t20-world-cup-selection-1714216184579">Hardik Pandya shouldn't be given so much priority: Irfan Pathan ahead of T20 World Cup selection</a>

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya's indifferent batting form remains a worry for the national selection panel.

KL Rahul slightly ahead of Sanju Samson in race for 2nd wicketkeeper at T20 World Cup 2024 - Report

KL Rahul is believed to be slightly ahead of Sanju Samson in the race for the second wicketkeeper's slot as the BCCI is expected to announce Team India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup by the end of this month.

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya's indifferent batting form remains a worry for the national selection panel.

KL Rahul is believed to be slightly ahead of Sanju Samson in the race for the second wicketkeeper's slot, according to a report in the PTI.
The BCCI is expected to announce Team India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup by the end of this month.
Apart from that, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya's indifferent batting form remains a worry for the national selection panel.
The other bone of contention in drafting the final squad could be the choice of an extra bowler.
It remains to be seen whether an extra pace bowler in Avesh Khan will be accommodated or whether the choice would be between Lucknow Super Giants leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel considering the low and slow tracks in the West Indies.
It is understood that skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to have a meeting with the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to discuss the outline of the team.
With the ICC setting a May 1 deadline for the announcement of 15-member squads, the BCCI is expected to reveal the names anytime between the end of this week and the beginning of next week.
Pandya has so far bowled 17 overs out of a possible 32 in eight games for MI.
As a designated finisher, he has hit only seven sixes in these games, which is below par by every measure. The free-flowing bat swing is completely missing in the 150-odd runs that he has scored in the tournament so far at a strike rate of 142.
However, Pandya can be called a 'TINA' option (There Is No Alternative) for the selectors as Shivam Dube, who is also expected to board the New York bound flight, isn't bowling either.
Also in terms of skill and pace, Dube the bowler isn't anywhere close to Pandya but his current batting form (22 sixes in eight games) can't be ignored either.
It can be safely concluded that Rishabh Pant, who is now third among the top run-getters in the competition with 342 at a strike rate of 161, has sealed his place as the team's No. 1 keeper-batter and also as a designated finisher.
The fight is pretty intense for the second keeper's slot and despite KL Rahul (302 at 141 SR) not batting in the middle-order, his range of strokes might just help him pip Samson (314 at SR 152).
Samson might again have to be content with being a stand-by inclusion like last year's 50-over World Cup.
The five bowlers, who have all but sealed their places are Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
However save Bumrah and Kuldeep, the other Indian bowlers haven't been in great form during IPL and hence the choice of an extra bowler becomes very important.
It will be a three-way fight between Rajasthan Royals' pacer Avesh, Delhi Capitals left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar and Lucknow Super Giants leg-spinner Bishnoi.
Avesh, who has improved a lot as far as his death bowling is concerned, has eight wickets from as many matches with an economy rate of 9.41 while Bishnoi has only taken five wickets but on flat tracks, his economy of 8.47 can be considered impressive.
Axar, who has seven scalps from nine games but is bowling at an rate of just above 7, would be a brilliant choice too taking the conditions into consideration.
Add to it, his batting prowess, scoring runs at a strike of 132, and also the fact that he is a very good all-round fielder.

Ajinkya Rahane's wicket in the very first over may belong to Matt Henry but it could have easily gone into the keeper's column.

Watch: KL Rahul the keeper grabs a one-hand blinder to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane | IPL 2024, CSK vs LSG

They say humans can't fly but KL Rahul certainly can. The LSG skipper showcased his Superman skills against CSK as he took a one-hand blinder behind the stumps. Tap to watch

Ajinkya Rahane's wicket in the very first over may belong to Matt Henry but it could have easily gone into the keeper's column.

They say humans can't fly but KL Rahul certainly can. The Lucknow Super Giants skipper showcased his Superman skills against the Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday as he took a one-hand blinder behind the stumps.
Ajinkya Rahane's wicket in the very first over may belong to Matt Henry but it could have easily gone into the keeper's column.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A flying KL Rahul caught in HD 🤩🤯 The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSG</a> skipper takes a blinder to send Rahane packing!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSKvLSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSKvLSG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioCinema?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioCinema</a> <a href="https://t.co/1eh8m5ckhr">pic.twitter.com/1eh8m5ckhr</a>
&mdash; JioCinema (@JioCinema) <a href="https://twitter.com/JioCinema/status/1782776972327670117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
Earlier, LSG skipper Rahul won the toss and elected to bowl against CSK. Rahul cited dew as the reason behind his call to chase against CSK.
The Chennai side made one change to their eleven, bringing in Daryll Mitchell for fellow Kiwi Rachin Ravindra, who has been out of form.
LSG made no changes to their eleven from the last match.
Teams: Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (wk/c), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur.
Chennai Super Kings: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana.

KL Rahul was pleased to get most of his decisions right as he guided his team to a convincing 8-wicket win over defending champions CSK.

KL Rahul describes how his bowlers got 'intimidated' as MS Dhoni walked in to bat | IPL 2024, LSG vs CSK

LSG skipper KL Rahul felt that his side could have restricted CSK to around 160 but MS Dhoni made the difference. Here is his full statement

KL Rahul was pleased to get most of his decisions right as he guided his team to a convincing 8-wicket win over defending champions CSK.

Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul was pleased to get most of his decisions right as he guided his team to a convincing 8-wicket win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in an IPL 2024 match on Friday.
Rahul had a good day in office as he was spot-on with his bowling changes and also took two catches and affected a stumping before returning to smash a match-winning 53-ball 82 to boot with.
"Feels good at the end of the day, When you win, looks like you make all the decisions right," said Rahul, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, during the post-match presentation.
"Impossible to get all right. Depends on the kind of wicket we are playing on and the kind of batters there are. We spend time doing homework on tactics and strategy and we spoke about them not settling against one style of bowling."
LSG had kept things under control before Moeen Ali (30 off 20) and MS Dhoni (28 off 9) went on a six-hitting spree to take CSK to a fighting 176 for six.
"Halfway stage, I would have been happy with 160. Felt the wicket was slow, a bit of grip but not too much. 160-165 would have been ideal.
"But MSD walks in and the bowlers feel intimidated. He walks in and bowlers were under pressure, the crowd was really loud, he has done it in the past."
Chasing 177, Rahul (82) and De Kock (54) batted with authority during their match-winning alliance of 134, the highest partnership for any wicket at the Ekana Stadium, as LSG scored 180 for 2 in 19 overs.
"Felt that if we bat well, we could chase it down. I have been trying to assess the situation and today it came off. With Chennai's spinners, they tried to put brakes on us," he said.
"We tried to get to a good start. Tried to take them down, luckily it came off. When your partnership goes on, you can take a few more chances. Glad that it happened." Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain, said his team was 10-15 runs short with dew coming in.
"We finished off very well, couldn't have asked for more. But after powerplay, we couldn't kick on till 14-15th over. We lost wickets regularly and were 10-15 short.
"Slightly difficult to bat but with Impact Player rule you need an extra batter. With dew coming on later, felt 180-190 could have been good."
CSK bowlers couldn't produce a breakthrough as Rahul and De Kock batted well in the powerplay and Gaikwad agreed they needed to bowl better in the first six overs.
"[Bowling in the powerplay] is one area we would like to improve, puts opposition on the back foot if we can get wickets in the powerplay. Good to play them again soon, will come back with homework done," he said.
The two teams will again face off on April 23 at Chepauk.

Rahul, who is coming back from a quadriceps injury and is not expected to keep wickets at the beginning of the IPL, is still not a certainty in the Indian T20 squad

If KL Rahul performs well in IPL, reward will be T20 World Cup slot: LSG head coach Justin Langer

If KL Rahul leads Lucknow Super Giants to their maiden IPL title, he will automatically be rewarded with a spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, reckons head coach Justin Langer

Rahul, who is coming back from a quadriceps injury and is not expected to keep wickets at the beginning of the IPL, is still not a certainty in the Indian T20 squad

If KL Rahul leads Lucknow Super Giants to their maiden IPL title, he will automatically be rewarded with a spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, reckons head coach Justin Langer, who wants his team's national hopefuls to "concentrate" on doing well for the franchise first.
Rahul, who is coming back from a quadriceps injury and is not expected to keep wickets at the beginning of the IPL, is still not a certainty in the Indian T20 squad and only a good IPL with both the bat and gloves can seal the deal for him.
Asked how he would balance his skipper's personal ambition with the team's interests, Langer said it isn't all that complicated.
"If the team does well, everyone gets rewarded. If KL can captain LSG to the IPL title, that means he would have captained well, batted well and kept wickets well," Langer replied to a PTI query during a season-opening media interaction on Wednesday.
Apart from Rahul, the other serious T20 World Cup contender from LSG is leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
"The message for players, like KL or Bishi (Bishnoi) will be that the more they concentrate on playing well for LSG, their chances (of WT20 call-up) will increase."
Rahul is expected to link up with the team on Wednesday evening due to a flight delay but the former Australian opener didn't say a word about when the star player will start keeping.
"He has followed all the 'Return To Play' protocols and he has been hitting a lot of balls."
With foreign recruits Mark Wood and David Willey ruled out of the tournament, Lucknow Super Giants' pace bowling unit looks thin on experience.
Shivam Mavi, the injury-prone pacer, hasn't played competitive cricket since August 2023 while Delhi's talented tearaway quick Mayank Yadav was out of the entire Ranji Trophy season with a side strain.
Mohsin Khan, the find of the 2022 IPL, has had injury issues and Yash Thakur isn't very experienced at the tournament level.
"It is a very good observation that we lack some experience in pace department but there is an enormous talent. The pacers -- they all look fit, healthy and hungry.
"We need to manage them well not just at the start but through the whole tournament. Among pacers Naveen (ul Haq) has played a lot of T20 cricket," the 2021 T20 World Cup and multiple Ashes-winning coach, said.
The coach seemed mighty impressed with Mayank and said he seems to be a phenomenal talent with "serious pace".
Apart from Naveen, the other overseas fast bowler is Shamar Joseph, the West Indies sensation, who has won hearts with his performances in the recent two Tests in Australia.
However, with very little T20 experience even in the Caribbean Premier League, will he come in handy in IPL? Langer sounded bullish.
"He didn't have experience even before going into two Test matches," Langer sounded dismissive about the experience bit.
"I was commentating and I saw him take seven wickets in 37 degrees, 80 per cent humidity and a broken toe. He is an incredible athlete. Smile, spirit, athleticism and skill, he has got all those ingredients that you need to succeed. Another talented guy is Mayank."
Langer was also pretty confident about the spin bowling arsenal of his team, especially Bishnoi and the 41-year-old veteran leg-break bowler Amit Mishra.
Tamil Nadu's left-arm spinner M Siddharth has also caught the coach's attention.
"He (Bishnoi) is an outstanding bowler. I love his energy. I watched his training. There is no better pure leg-spinner than Mishi (Mishra's nickname). I saw young M Siddarth, who bowled a maiden over first-up in a training game. There is Krishnappa Gowtham."
Gautam Gambhir was the mentor of LSG before he joined KKR ahead of this season. Asked whether the fans can expect a face-off with the feisty former India player, Langer said there is only admiration for the work he did with the franchise.
"There is no face-off. I was disappointed when he left for KKR but he is a real hero in KKR. We have been good friends," said Langer, who had once conducted personalised coaching sessions for Gambhir in Perth, when he needed to sort out his game against the short ball.
"But then when we play DC, my good friend Ricky Ponting is the coach, in CSK, Stephen Fleming and Mike Hussey are friends."
For Langer, coaching an IPL team is quite similar to coaching an international team.
"It is only at domestic level that you get players for pre-season. At international level, players only assemble before the competition phase. So it is pretty similar." Having guided Australia to a T20 World Cup title, Langer said that he knows the "blue-print of success" but it will be important to execute the plans.
"I have been sleeping well for the past two years after I left coaching Australia. Now I will have sleepless nights in fitting so much talent in just 11 slots," he said referring to his forced break he had to take after leaving the Australia job for not getting a long-term contract following discontent among players.

Rahul had once again suffered a strain in his quadriceps during the first Test against England in Hyderabad and even though he was expected to join the team by the third game, the stylish right-hander felt a tightness in his muscles and skipped all t

 All clear from NCA: KL Rahul may not keep initially in IPL, Pooran or De Kock to don keeping gloves

Rahul had once again suffered a strain in his quadriceps during the first Test against England in Hyderabad and even though he was expected to join the team by the third game, the stylish right-hander felt a tightness in his muscles and skipped all the remaining games.

<h2>Rahul had once again suffered a strain in his quadriceps during the first Test against England in Hyderabad and even though he was expected to join the team by the third game.</h2>

Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul is all set to play for his franchise from the opening IPL game after getting all clear from the National Cricket Academy but he has been advised against wicket-keeping in the first few games.
Rahul had once again suffered a strain in his quadriceps during the first Test against England in Hyderabad and even though he was expected to join the team by the third game, the stylish right-hander felt a tightness in his muscles and skipped all the remaining games.
Rahul posted a short video of his batting, basic keeping drills and outfield practice at the NCA.
"The NCA has given him clearance and he will join his mates in Lucknow on Thursday (March 20) before they travel to Jaipur for the opening game against Rajasthan Royals on March 24. It is understood that he has been told to avoid squatting initially and he can don the big gloves in coming days. For first few games, he will only play as pure batter," a BCCI source tracking the developments of LSG told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
It is understood that even the franchise isn't losing its sleep over Rahul's keeping as they have two quality short-format glovesmen in former Proteas star Quinton de Kock and West Indies' Nicholas Pooran, who is also vice-captain for this season.
However, for Rahul, keeping will be an important aspect of his game if he has to stake claim for a spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June.
"Rahul will not be considered for a top-three slot in the Indian T20 team considering his previous performances. He can be that keeper-batter at Nos 5 or 6 if he has a decent IPL. But if he plays purely as a batter, you have a far better option in Rinku Singh, apart from Rishabh Pant, who might just stake a claim with some power-packed performances," a BCCI source privy to developments, said.
Also See: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/ipl-2024-lsg-preview-check-lucknow-super-giants-players-list-full-squad-probable-xi-matches-schedule-1710765337700">IPL 2024 LSG Preview: Check Lucknow Super Giants players list, full squad, probable XI, matches, schedule</a>

Rahul, who captains Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, shared photos of his intensive training in his Instagram account with a caption "Hi".

KL Rahul shares photos of NCA training, signals IPL comeback

Senior India cricketer KL Rahul, who is back after seeking injury consultation in London, shared photos of his training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Wednesday, signalling his comeback in the IPL.

Rahul, who captains Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, shared photos of his intensive training in his Instagram account with a caption "Hi".

Senior India cricketer KL Rahul, who is back after seeking injury consultation in London, shared photos of his training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Wednesday, signalling his comeback in the IPL.
Rahul, who captains Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, shared photos of his intensive training in his Instagram account with a caption "Hi".
The next season of the IPL gets underway on March 22 and LSG begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in an afternoon fixture in Jaipur on March 24.
Rahul is being considered for the wicketkeeper-batter's slot in the squad for the T20 World Cup slated in the USA and the West Indies in June.
The 31-year-old pulled out after the opening Test in Hyderabad in the ongoing five-match series against England with a quadricep tendon injury.
Rahul, who scored 86 and 22 in the Hyderabad Test, complained of pain in his right quadriceps and was initially ruled out of the second match of the series in Vizag.
He was initially named in the squad for the last three Tests subject to fitness, but he was "not 100 per cent" for the third Test in Rajkot as he flew to London to seek medical consultation.
Rahul had gone under the knife last year after sustaining quadriceps injury in their IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He went on to miss the entire IPL and the World Test Championship final. He returned to action in the Asia Cup.

As expected, KL Rahul couldn't make it to the 16-member squad as he failed to fully recover from injury.

KL Rahul ruled out as BCCI announce India's squad for 5th Test | India vs England

The BCCI announced Team India's squad for the 5th and final Test against England, due to start on March 7 in Dharamsala.

As expected, KL Rahul couldn't make it to the 16-member squad as he failed to fully recover from injury.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Team India's squad for the 5th and final Test against England, due to start on March 7 in Dharamsala.
As expected, KL Rahul couldn't make it to the 16-member squad as he failed to fully recover from injury. 'The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring him and coordinating with specialists in London for further management of his issue,' the board said in the statement.
India's pace bowling got a major boost as Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the 4th Test in Ranchi, was included in the squad for the final Test.
Apart from that, Washington Sundar was released from the squad. He will join Tamil Nadu ahead of their Ranji Trophy Semi-final fixture against Mumbai, starting March 2nd, 2024. He will join the India squad after the completion of the domestic fixture for the fifth Test, if need be.
India already has an unassailable 3-1 lead in the 5-match Test series but the final game is still important as far as the World Test Championship is concerned.
India&rsquo;s updated squad for the 5th Test:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Rahul has not recovered completely from the quadriceps injury he suffered in the first Test.

Senior Indian cricketer KL Rahul sent to London; set to miss 5th Test in Dharamsala - Report | India vs England

This senior Indian cricketer is not likely to make it for the 5th and final Test in Dharamsala as the BCCI has sent him to London for treatment.

Senior Indian cricketer sent to London; set to miss 5th Test in Dharamsala - Report | India vs England

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Rahul has not recovered completely from the quadriceps injury he suffered in the first Test.

KL Rahul, who has missed the last 3 Tests against England, is not likely to make it for the 5th and final Test in Dharamsala as well.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Rahul has not recovered completely from the quadriceps injury he suffered in the first Test and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent him to London for an expert opinion.
He underwent surgery for his quadriceps last year and made a sensational comeback in Asia Cup 2023. However, the injury returned during the 1st Test vs England and he was subsiquently ruled out of the 2nd Test.
Rahul was reportedly '90 per cent' cleared to play the third Test match but the team management and National Cricket Academy (NCA) decided to reassess the situation as there was still some stiffness.
He was named in the squad for the final 3 Tests but his availability was subject to fitness. Since India has already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, the management is not likely to rush with Rahul's return.

KL Rahul was on course to return for Rajkot. It was eventually decided that he should sit out as he was only ‘90 percent fit’, as per a BCCI medical bulletin. 

Rohit Sharma provides massive update on KL Rahul's availability for 4th Test

KL Rahul was on course to return for Rajkot. It was eventually decided that he should sit out as he was only &lsquo;90 percent fit&rsquo;, as per a BCCI medical bulletin.&nbsp;

Team India won the 3rd Test against England in Rajkot by a historic margin of 434 runs. With this victory, Rohit Sharma led side took a 2-1 lead in the 5-match Test series. As per the latest reports, Jasprit Bumrah will be missing from the Indian squad for the 4th Test. On the other hand, KL Rahul, who missed the 2nd and 3rd Test matches due to injury is expected to rejoin the squad for the 4th Test match which is scheduled to take place in Rachi.&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s captain Rohit Sharma has provided an update on the batter and said, &ldquo;he should be okay&rdquo;.
While India thrashed England in Rajkot, Rahul was still at the NCA recovering. So, with Rahul set to return it will surely provide a boost to India&rsquo;s middle-order that has not been at their very best in this series thus far.&nbsp;
India registers biggest win
India&rsquo;s 434 run-win at Rajkot is their biggest ever in terms of runs. This, after they had scored 445 and 430 runs in their two innings. That gives an idea of how poor England were with the bat. After being 207/2 at the end of Day 2 to be 319 all out, they were skittled out for 122 in the fourth innings.
India&rsquo;s Likely Playing XI at Ranchi:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-set-to-be-rested-for-4th-test-likely-to-return-for-series-finale-in-dharamsala-report-1708321865455">Jasprit Bumrah set to be rested for 4th Test, likely to return for series finale in Dharamsala: Report</a>
&nbsp;

According to the report, Rahul's Karnataka teammate Devdutt Padikkal has been called up as his replacement after a brilliant run in the Ranji Trophy.

KL Rahul sidelined for 3rd India vs England Test, Sarfaraz Khan poised for debut : Report

KL Rahul's Karnataka teammate Devdutt Padikkal has been called up as his replacement, according to the report.

<h2>According to the report, Rahul's Karnataka teammate Devdutt Padikkal has been called up as his replacement after a brilliant run in the Ranji Trophy.</h2>

Indian batter KL Rahul has been ruled out of the third Test against England. KL Rahul's absence, however, has opened the door for Sarfaraz Khan's potential debut in the upcoming game in Rajkot. According to a report by the Indian Express, the BCCI's medical team has advised that Rahul requires additional time to attain full fitness for the rigours of Test cricket.
This development follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) conditional inclusion of Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad for the final three matches of the series, contingent upon their fitness clearance.
While Jadeja has been cleared to participate in the crucial match, with the series currently standing at a 1-1 tie, Rahul's fitness has been deemed inadequate for immediate return to the field. The medical experts have opted to extend their assessment of Rahul's condition by another week before making a definitive decision on his availability. Rahul's fitness issues came to light following a right quadriceps injury he sustained during the first Test in Hyderabad, which also led to his withdrawal from the second Test at Vizag.
The Indian team has faced a series of injuries and withdrawals that have impacted their lineup, notably including Virat Kohli's absence due to personal reasons and Shreyas Iyer's exclusion based on performance.
In light of these developments, Devdutt Padikkal, another batsman from Karnataka, has been called up as Rahul's replacement. Padikkal's recent performances in the Ranji Trophy, where he notched up impressive scores including a 151 in his last match, have solidified his selection. His form has been consistent throughout the season, further highlighted by a 193 against Punjab and a century against Goa, along with notable contributions in the India A matches against the England Lions.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/here-s-how-ravindra-jadeja-s-wife-rivaba-responded-to-rift-allegations-with-father-in-law-1707736822663">Here's how Ravindra Jadeja's wife Rivaba responded to rift allegations with father-in-law</a>

Former India player Farokh Engineer has little doubt that in Test cricket India should persist with a specialist wicketkeeper KS Bharat in this case and urged him to work on his technique.

KL Rahul ‘worth platinum’ but KS Bharat must make minor changes as wicketkeeper: Farokh Engineer

Former India player Farokh Engineer has little doubt that in Test cricket India should persist with a specialist wicketkeeper KS Bharat in this case and urged him to work on his technique.

KL Rahul is &lsquo;worth in platinum&rsquo; for the dual role of wicketkeeper-batsman, but former India player Farokh Engineer has little doubt that in Test cricket India should persist with a specialist wicketkeeper KS Bharat in this case and urged him to work on his technique.
Rahul, who is nursing a quadriceps injury, had kept wickets in the away two-Test series against South Africa but opted to field Bharat for that role in the ongoing five-match Test series against England.
&ldquo;For a One-Day or T20 game, you could play with a batsman-keeper and get away with it. You know, like KL Rahul. He has improved over the years. He kept wickets quite well. He is not a brilliant wicketkeeper. But what a great, brilliant batsman he is,&rdquo; Engineer, a former wicketkeeper batter himself, said during an interaction after his felicitation here at the Bombay Gymkhana.
&ldquo;He is worth his weight in platinum to be in the side and keep wickets,&rdquo; said the 85-year-old.
&ldquo;But (for Tests) You got to have your best wicketkeeper. You got to have wicketkeeper-batsman instead of a batsman-wicketkeeper. Of course, everyone is required to bat these days. In the opinion of selectors, Bharat is a better &lsquo;keeper, is he?&rdquo; asked Engineer.
However, Engineer said there were a few areas to work on for Bharat.
&ldquo;There are a few areas that I can (think of) straightaway. But you don't like to tell them, in case they think you are trying to be big-headed,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;If he just rises slowly, I would prefer that. Once you get up quickly, it is difficult to go down again and you waste that fraction of a second. But if you get up gradually with the ball, then you are&hellip; things have got to be ironed out. But (then) he is the best around," he added.
Engineer said it remains to be seen how Rishabh Pant would be able to pick up keeping when he returns but added that the left-hander has the potential to play as a specialist batter.
&ldquo;(I was) so sad to hear about Rishabh&rsquo;s accident. I hope that he&rsquo;s recovered now. I&rsquo;m not sure (that) he&rsquo;ll be able to &lsquo;keep wickets, because once you lose your sharpness, the sixth sense... but his batting is so good, he can be a match-winner for India with the bat,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;He has so much confidence as a batsman. Like me, he thinks that spinners shouldn&rsquo;t exist,&rdquo; Engineer added.
While predicting India as the winner of the series against England by a 3-2 margin, Engineer warned the hosts to guard against complacency.
&ldquo;I reckon India will win 3-2. But don't underestimate England. They are a good side. Had they won the toss and decided to bat, who knows? We might have been in a predicament. They might have been leading by 150,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;When we get a chance, we got to grab it with both hands. Like in Hyderabad, we should have got 600. All our batsmen got too complacent, thinking that we will be able to dismiss them because the ball was turning.
&ldquo;Let's not be complacent. After winning this Test, put the screws down,&rdquo; said Engineer, who was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI recently.
Engineer lauds Anderson
Engineer, who played 46 Tests and five ODIs for India, was among the best overseas players to have appeared for Lancashire in English county cricket.
So, it was natural for Engineer to shower praise on another Lancastrian, the 41-year-old pacer James Anderson.
Engineer credited Anderson&rsquo;s fitness for his longevity.
&ldquo;He is absolutely phenomenal. He is my Lancashire boy. A few years ago when he was not in the England team, not even in the Lancashire team, and he was sitting next to me at (Andrew) Freddie Flintoff's son's christening, we had a word,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;I said, &lsquo;You are a fantastic swing bowler, you will always, always come good&rsquo;. He always remembers that.&rdquo; &ldquo;In England, (with) the conditions and all that, he swings the ball both ways. He uses his head. He is a fantastic bowler. He has been a great, great Lancastrian.&rdquo; &ldquo;He is physically fit. Fitness is the most important thing for a fast bowler. He is always bowling within himself,&rdquo; he said.
Engineer said Anderson, who has 693 wickets from 184 Tests, will be remembered as one of the true fast-bowling greats.
&ldquo;He is right up there with the greatest of fast bowlers. To get to that age and swing the ball both ways and to trouble the batsmen, and to get so many wickets on our Indian pitches, is a credit. He is a real credit to England,&rdquo; Engineer signed off.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/virat-kohli-s-return-for-england-tests-remains-doubtful-kl-rahul-likely-to-get-fit-for-rajkot-test-1707012673441">Virat Kohli's return for England Tests remains doubtful; KL Rahul likely to get fit for Rajkot Test</a>

Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar have earned their first call-ups to the national side, while Washington Sundar has also been added to the squad.

Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul ruled out of 2nd India vs England Test; Sarfaraz Khan gets maiden call-up

Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar have earned their first call-ups to the national side while Washington Sundar has also been added to the squad.

#Jadeja #Rahul #INDvENG

<h2>Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar have earned their first call-ups to the national side, while Washington Sundar has also been added to the squad.</h2>

In a significant development for the Indian cricket team, key players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been declared unfit to participate in the upcoming second Test against England, scheduled to begin on February 2 in Vizag. Jadeja's absence comes as a result of a hamstring injury he sustained during the fourth day of the first Test in Hyderabad, while Rahul has been experiencing discomfort due to right quadriceps pain.
The BCCI Medical Team is actively monitoring the condition of both players, ensuring they receive the necessary care and attention. This unfortunate turn of events has prompted the Men's Selection Committee to bring in reinforcements to the Indian squad.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-receives-demerit-point-for-code-of-conduct-breach-in-1st-india-england-test-1706525124051">Jasprit Bumrah receives demerit point for Code of Conduct breach in 1st India-England Test</a>
Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar have been added to the lineup to bolster the team's composition in light of these injuries. Their inclusion is expected to add depth and versatility to the squad, compensating for the loss of Jadeja and Rahul's expertise. India's updated Squad for 2nd Test vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Saurabh Kumar.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/amp/web-stories/sports/cricket/most-test-wins-in-india-by-a-visiting-team-1706521667024">Most Test wins for a visiting team in India</a>

KL Rahul was in exceptional touch, balancing caution with aggression perfectly, scoring his 86 runs at a strike rate of 70.

India vs England: KL Rahul puts hosts in total control  of 1st Test but misses out on deserving hundred

KL Rahul's masterful innings of 86 runs was the cornerstone of India's commanding stance on the second day of the first Test against England.

#KLRahul #INDvENG

<h2>KL Rahul was in exceptional touch, balancing caution with aggression perfectly, scoring his 86 runs at a strike rate of 70.</h2>

KL Rahul's masterful innings of 86 runs was the cornerstone of India's commanding stance on the second day of the first Test against England. His performance came amidst a notable improvement by the English spinners, yet Rahul's exceptional timing and confidence, freshly reinforced by his century in South Africa in Centurion a month ago, shone through.
The setting at the RGI Stadium presented its own set of challenges, differing significantly from those at SuperSport Park, yet equally demanding. England's spinners found their groove, posing a heightened challenge for the Indian batsmen. However, Rahul's technique and strategic play, balancing caution with assertiveness, enabled him to navigate the opposition's bowling with a notable strike rate of 70.
Rahul's innings seemed poised to culminate in a century, a fitting reward for his commendable performance. Yet, a moment of ambition saw him fall short, as he attempted to clear the boundary off a delivery from England's debutant Tom Hartley. The shot led to his dismissal for 86, a moment of visible frustration for Rahul, who had otherwise dominated the day's play.
Despite this setback, India remained in a dominant position, surpassing England's first-innings total with ease. With Ravindra Jadeja also making promising strides at the crease at the time of writing, India's prospects for securing a substantial first-innings lead looked optimistic. <a href="https://www.editorji.com/amp/web-stories/sports/cricket/shubman-gill-time-running-out-for-indian-batter-in-test-cricket-1706249240721">Time running out for Shubman Gill in Test cricket?</a>

KL Rahul had kept wickets in the two-match series against South Africa recently and produced a rather nimble effort behind the stumps. The series against England starts on Thursday.

Will KL Rahul keep wickets for Team India against England? Rahul Dravid has his say | India vs England

Will KL Rahul keep wickets in the India vs England Test series? India head coach Rahul Dravid ends speculations.

KL Rahul had kept wickets in the two-match series against South Africa recently and produced a rather nimble effort behind the stumps. The series against England starts on Thursday.

India head coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday said that KL Rahul will not keep wickets in the 5-match Test series against England, and it will be a toss-up between KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel for the wicketkeeper-batter's role.
Rahul had kept wickets in the two-match series against South Africa recently and produced a rather nimble effort behind the stumps. The series against England starts on Thursday.
"Rahul will not be playing as a wicketkeeper in this series and we are clear about that in the selection itself. We have picked two other wicketkeepers and obviously Rahul did a fantastic job for us in South Africa and really played a big part in helping us draw the series," Dravid said in a press conference here.
"But considering 5 Test matches (against England) and playing in these conditions the selection will be between the two other keepers we have," he explained.
The nature of pitches in India makes it mandatory for a wicketkeeper to stand up to the wickets against spinners, in this case R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, a role that should be assigned to a specialist stumper.
The 31-year-old Bengaluru player, has been a designated wicketkeeper only thrice in his 92 First-Class matches and none of those appearances came in India.
In that context, it might not have been wise for the team management to pick Rahul as wicketkeeper against England, considering the fact that the visitors' 'Bazball' style of cricket might just offer a few chances to the gloveman.
In contrast, Bharat, who stepped in when Rishabh Pant was injured in a car accident, has done reasonably well in the role, and often attracted plaudits.
Even though he has not really made a mark with the bat, his efforts behind the wickets cannot be brushed aside -- from 91 First-Class matches, of which 82 have been in India, Bharat has amassed 287 catches and 33 stumpings.
Since Jurel is still a tad green behind the ears, Bharat is set to get the nod as wicketkeeper-batter for the series against England.
His unbeaten 116 that helped India A draw the first unofficial 'Test' against England Lions at Ahmedabad recently too might have boosted his stature in the eyes of the think-tank.

KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel will be wicketkeepers in India's Test series against England as KL Rahul Rahul will be a specialist batter, an unnamed BCCI source told Times of India.

KL Rahul to drop wicketkeeping gloves for England Test series: report

KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel will be wicketkeepers in India's Test series against England as KL Rahul Rahul will be a specialist batter, an unnamed BCCI source told Times of India.

KL Rahul will not be donning the wicketkeeping gloves when India take on England on home turf in a 5-Test series, a BCCI source told Times of India. Instead, the 31-year-old will be playing as a specialist batter during the series. In addition to KL Rahul, wicketkeeper batters KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel were also named in India&rsquo;s squad for the Test series. The TOI report explained the reason behind Rahul's relieving, "While in overseas Tests you just have to stand back to the pacers, wicketkeeping in India, where spinners may operate in tandem, isn&rsquo;t easy. The ball can bounce or turn viciously on the spin friendly home wickets. You&rsquo;ve to keep moving up and down as a &rsquo;keeper. We want a specialist in that role."
&ldquo;Rahul, on the other hand, is one of our most valuable batting assets. We don&rsquo;t want to burn him out by making him do the glovework as well. There is also a risk of him catching an injury while standing behind the stumps, which we can&rsquo;t afford. Bharat and Jurel will be our wicketkeepers in this series,&rdquo; The BCCI source said.
KL Rahul&rsquo;s role in the team has been recently reshaped, with the batter transitioning into a middle-order batter. The 31-year-old scored a century against South Africa while batting at the number 6 spot.
The BCCI source told TOI that Jurel is a front-runner to replace Rahul behind the stumps. &ldquo;Jurel is a talented &rsquo;keeper-bat. We&rsquo;ve been tracking this 22-year-old since the time he was playing for the India Under-19 team,&rdquo; the unnamed source said.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/watch-india-great-rahul-dravid-s-son-samit-bowls-in-crucial-cooch-behar-final-against-mumbai-1705148925203">Watch: India great Rahul Dravid's son Samit bowls in crucial Cooch Behar final against Mumbai</a>

kl rahul

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