In a riveting display of resilience and skill, Indian star Ravindra Jadejahas once again captured the hearts of cricket fans worldwide with his trademark sword celebration after reaching a gritty half-century on Day 4 of the Gabba Test against Australia. The moment was not just about personal achievement but also about showcasing the never-say-die spirit of the Indian veteran star.
A gritty half-ton under pressure
The match at the Gabba, known for its notoriously challenging conditions for visiting teams, has been a battleground where every run is fought hard. Jadeja, coming back into the playing XI after missing the first two Tests, demonstrated his value by standing firm when the team needed him the most. His fifty, his 22nd in Test cricket, was crucial in a situation where India was looking to stabilize their innings and avoid the follow-on.
Jadeja’s innings was not just about the numbers; it was about the context. Facing an Australian attack on a pitch that was offering assistance to the bowlers, Jadeja played both defensively and aggressively, ensuring that the scoreboard kept ticking while also putting pressure back on the opposition. His partnership with KL Rahul, whose gritty performance was trending on social media, helped India navigate through a tricky phase of the game.
Upon reaching his fifty, Jadeja performed his well-known sword celebration, a gesture that has become as iconic as his all-round abilities on the field. This celebration, where he swings his bat like a sword, is not just a personal trademark but also resonates with fans as a symbol of his warrior-like approach to cricket.
The celebration has its roots in Jadeja’s Rajput heritage, symbolizing courage and valor, traits that he embodies on the cricket pitch. Each time he brings out this celebration, it’s a moment of joy for fans, a sign that he’s not just playing the game but dominating it with his unique flair.
Several cricket venues around India have witnessed some memorable moments in the history of Indian cricket. As a result, cricket state associations have often named the stands from where the fans cheer and play the role of the 12th man for Team India, and have been named after stalwarts of the game.
Hence every cricketer representing India has a wish to make a mark with their exceptional performances on the field which eventually leads to the fans remembering them fondly by the name of the stands named after them in a stadium. Star India batter KL Rahul was no exception either. The Karnataka batter recently found his batting mojo in the first Test as he played an impressive knock of 77 runs on a tricky Perth pitch and ably supported Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Quite interestingly as it may sound, recently, the Karnataka State Association (KSCA) arrived at the decision to name the stands of the renowned M Chinnaswamy Stadium after cricketers who not only brought laurels to the country in the international arena but also made the state of Karnataka proud.
Notably, the stands of the Chinnaswamy will be named after the legends of Indian cricket viz- GR Viswanath, Erapalli Prasanna, Syed Kirmani, BS Chandrasekhar, Roger Binny, Brijesh Patel, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad, respectively.
Hence during a recent press interaction ahead of the second Test to be played in Adelaide, Rahul was asked whether he would want to see Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium stand named after him. He immediately admitted through his reply that he surely would like it to happen. But he reminded everyone that in order to achieve that legendary status, he still needed to score truckloads of runs for Team India.
“I would love to have a stand after my name, but for that, I will have to score a lot of runs. I haven’t reached that stage of my career where I can make it a possibility. It is a good move by the Karnataka Cricket Association to honour the cricketers who have played for the country and the state. It is a lovely initiative,” said Rahul during a press conference.
Batting order dilemma continues between Rahul-Rohit Sharma for India
Besides, ahead of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) Test, India have been scratching their head to figure out whether KL Rahul should continue to open ahead and Captain Rohit Sharma should ideally shuffle down the order for the team’s cause. For the unversed, Rahul has always been rated highly for his versatility towards playing at different positions and yet coming out good more often than not. Usually, the batter plays at number six in the Test format. Only time will tell at what position will the Hitman come out to bat for the Indian team in his next outing against Australia.
Parth Jindal, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals, recently took an indirect dig at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka after purchasing KL Rahul during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Parth Jindal welcomed KL Rahul to the Delhi Capitals, adding that the franchise will give him the love and respect that he deserves.
Rahul exited from Lucknow Super Giants in a controversial manner. Sanjiv Goenka publicly criticized Rahul after a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad during the last IPL season. However, they met for dinner to resolve their issues. And the resolution was short-lived as Rahul was not retained by LSG.
After the retention list announcement, Sanjiv Goenka targeted Rahul by stating that they needed players who prioritized the team over personal milestones. Goenka said, “We had a very simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and aspirations.”
Going To Give KL Rahul The Love And Respect He Deserves – Parth Jindal
Speaking on RevSportz, Parth Jindal praised KL Rahul after acquiring him in the IPL 2025 auction. Jindal said that they will provide him with the love and respect he deserves. He hoped that Rahul would thrive in the Delhi environment and help the team win an IPL title.
“I believe that KL is a quality player and getting him at that price opened up the budget for us to strengthen other areas. I know KL personally for a long time and he is a good friend of mine. He thrives with love and respect and I am going to give him the love and respect he deserves. I hope he thrives in our atmosphere and does it for Delhi, wins an IPL,” Jindal told RevSportz.
KL Rahul Is An Exceptional Cricketer – Parth Jindal
Parth Jindal revealed the reasoning behind the team’s decision to target KL Rahul. He highlighted Rahul’s consistent performance across seasons and added that the Delhi home ground is well-suited to his batting style. He stated that they failed to secure Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer due to high bids.
“KL is an exceptional cricketer. His consistency in every IPL season has been phenomenal. Kotla is a ground which we thought will suit KL’s batting and if there are two grounds where probably KL wants to go as his home ground, they would be RCB or DC. Both Chinnaswamy or Kotla will suit his game in terms of them being small grounds. There has been a lot of chatter about KL on strike-rate and all those things,” Parth added.
“I believe a class player is always a class player. When we were discussing our auction strategy, the first lot was Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. Obviously, we thought that if we can get one of those players, one of them being the Indian marquee batter, then we will not have the budget for KL. But we lost both and went to the auction knowing that we might lose both because Punjab, LSG or RCB had more money than us. Then, who is the next-best batter? KL Rahul was right up there.”
KL Rahul Bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 14 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
KL Rahul has been acquired by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore. The experienced Karnataka batter will bring stability to the team’s batting order, along with wicketkeeping skills. He can lead the Delhi-based franchise in the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
The star batter has scored 4,683 runs in 132 IPL matches at an average of 45.47, including 37 fifties and four centuries. Rahul’s best season came in 2020 when he scored 670 runs in 14 matches for Punjab Kings and won the Orange Cap.
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal should be India’s opening pair for the upcoming second Test match of the BGT 2024-25 series. Sanjay Manjrekar added that India might need to adjust Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in their batting order for the Pink Ball Test match.
Rohit Sharma missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, while Shubman Gill was sidelined with a thumb injury. According to reports, Rohit will join the Indian team in Perth soon. In Rohit’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah is leading the side in the first Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium.
KL Rahul Seized Opening Opportunity with Both Hands in Rohit Sharma’s Absence
KL Rahul was dropped from the playing XI during the final two Tests against New Zealand. He also struggled for India A against Australia A in Melbourne. However, he was named as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s opening partner in the first Test match in Perth due to Rohit’s unavailability and Shubman Gill’s injury.
The 32-year-old made the most of his opportunity. He played a resilient knock of 26 runs off 74 balls in the first innings before being dismissed controversially caught behind. In the second innings, Rahul, who scored 77 runs off 176 deliveries, added a massive 201-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul Are Likely To Put Up The Best Opening Partnership – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said that Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are India’s best opening pair for the Adelaide Test. Manjrekar said that it is up to Rohit to decide whether to move down the order. He also stated that Rohit had success at the No. 6 position in Test cricket.
“So you’ve got KL Raul in form. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are likely to put up the best opening partnership. Rohit Sharma could suggest, with the kind of form that he has, that you know, ‘I don’t need to open’,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.
“If you can drop Ashwin and Jadeja and pick a Washington Sundar on current reality, that is an option. It will be tough to do, and Rohit Sharma will himself have to decide because there’s also that history of Rohit Sharma getting two hundreds in his first two Test matches batting at number six,” he added.
Is Going To Be Tough – Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar said that KL Rahul should bat in the top three to counter Australia’s new ball threat. Manjrekar also said that the team management will have to use Rahul to handle the tough challenge posed by the new pink ball in the upcoming Test.
“Another thing that Cheteshwar Pujara suggested – he said. KL Rahul at number three, Shubman Gill down the order. And that again makes a lot of sense. Use KL Rahul’s technique, his current form, to bat him in the top three, because that is where the challenge is really serious. Rohit Sharma, at the Pink Ball Test match, with the new pink ball, is going to be tough,” Manjrekar concluded.
India National Cricket Team batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has stated that the star batsman KL Rahul will need some luck on his side in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Sunil Gavaskar has also opined that KL Rahul will have no issues in performing Down Under in the high-octane five-match Test series against Australia National Cricket Team.
The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia will commence on November 22 in Perth.
India skipper Rohit Sharma will be missing the match as he has taken paternity leave, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will need a new opening partner.
India have two primary options in the squad – Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul – and both the batters struggled in the unofficial Tests against Australia A.
Reportedly, KL Rahul, because of his experience at the international level, has been finalized by the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Abhimanyu Easwaran despite his exceptional first-class record will be warming the bench.
KL Rahul got one of the finest centuries that I have witnessed first-hand in South Africa – Sunil Gavaskar
Speaking ahead of the Test series opener, Sunil Gavaskar stated that Rahul has done a great job for India in overseas Tests and he won’t have any issues this time around as well.
“KL Rahul got one of the finest centuries that I have witnessed first-hand in South Africa last year opening the batting, so doing so here again won’t be an issue for him.
“Like all batters he will need some luck at the start and if he gets that he can get the team off to a solid opening,” Gavaskar told PTI in an exclusive interview ahead of the series opener.
KL Rahul has overall played 53 Tests for India National Cricket Team and has scored 2981 runs at an average of 33.87.
With the experience in this team, I am sure they will guide the youngsters to look at the next one – Sunil Gavaskar
India will be entering the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on the back of a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. They will be under tremendous pressure as it was the worst-ever performance by the Indian team on home soil in the history of Test cricket.
However, Sunil Gavaskar wants the Men In Blue to forget the series against the Black Caps and focus solely on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
“Just like a batter is trained to forget the previous delivery and focus on the next one, so do good teams forget what’s happened in the previous Test match and concentrate on the next one.”
“With the experience in this team, I am sure they will guide the youngsters to look at the next one and not think about the previous one,” said Gavaskar.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided an official update about the batter KL Rahul ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The first game of the series between the teams is all set to take place from the WACA Stadium in Perth from 22nd November.
The India National Cricket Team have received a massive boost ahead of the first Test. Premier batter Rahul has been declared fit by the BCCI medical team and is available for selection for the first match of the five-match Test series between the teams, which is around the corner.
KL Rahul got hit on the elbow while batting during the match simulation
India team suffered a massive blow when during the match simulation, KL Rahul got hit on the elbow while batting. He looked in immense pain and then couldn’t bat any further as he was taken off the field and didn’t return to bat after that.
Rahul went for scans as well and there were clouds looming over his availability for the first Test against Australia National Cricket Team. However, on Sunday (17th November), he was back in the nets and in what was a sigh of relief, the keeper-batter batted for a few hours without any issues.
I’m feeling good and I batted today, getting ready for the first game – KL Rahul
BCCI medical team deemed Rahul fit and the batter himself confirmed that he is ready to go. The premier batter mentioned that he is feeling good and batted in the nets after facing injury.
Rahul also spoke about how arriving early in Australia has allowed him extra time to prepare for the series. Speaking in a video posted by BCCI on their Twitter account, he explained:
“I’m feeling good and I batted today, getting ready for the first game. I was happy that I could come here early and get some time to get used to the conditions. And yeah, I’ve got a lot of time preparing for the series and I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
It was just a matter of controlling the pain and giving him some confidence – BCCI physiotherapist
Yogesh Parmar, who is BCCI’s physiotherapist, talked about Rahul’s injury, saying that he was confident that the batter would be fit soon. He stressed that it was important for them that they control the pain and said that he was fit. He said:
“I took him for the x-ray and scan and everything. And based on the recording, I was like a lot more confident that he should be fine. It was just a matter of controlling the pain and giving him some confidence. So from a medical point of view, he’s absolutely fine.”
With Shubman Gill likely to be ruled out of the first Test, KL Rahul is expected to play a major role for the team. There were reports that he might open the innings for the team as skipper Rohit Sharma will be not be available for the opening game.
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025mega auction just around the corner, the excitement among franchises is building up, especially with a strong pool of high-profile players set to go under the hammer. The IPL’s ever-growing allure means that teams are willing to spend big to secure top talent, and this year, the spotlight is on wicketkeeper-batters.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Wicketkeeper-batters set to spark bidding wars
Due to the IPL’s restriction on retaining a maximum of six players per franchise, many teams have had to make tough decisions, resulting in several key players, particularly wicketkeeper-batters, being released into the auction pool. Only a handful of franchises have opted to retain their wicketkeepers, meaning the auction will witness fierce competition for some of the best gloveman in the world.
These players offer a rare combination of top-order batting power and reliable keeping skills, making them highly valuable in T20 cricket. With an increase in franchises’ appetite for balanced squads and multi-skilled players, the bidding war for these wicketkeepers is expected to be intense, with teams aiming to strengthen both their top order and fielding units for the 2025 season.
Top 5 wicketkeepers teams can target in the auction
1. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan (Image Source: X)
Base Price: INR 2 Crores Released by: Mumbai Indians
Kishan has proven himself to be an exciting talent in the IPL, known for his aggressive opening battership. Over the last three seasons, Kishan has been a consistent contributor for Mumbai, with his ability to accelerate the innings from the start. In 2022, he scored 418 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.2, including three half-centuries. His performance improved in 2023, as he accumulated 454 runs from 15 innings at an average of 30.3, including three fifties.
In 2024, Kishan’s form slightly dipped as he managed 320 runs from 14 matches at a lower average of 22.9. Despite this, his explosive batting in the powerplay and his wicketkeeping abilities make him a valuable commodity in the IPL, especially for teams that are looking for a wicketkeeper-batter who can handle the pressure of the top order. Kishan has a total of 2264 runs from 105 innings in the IPL, with an average of 28.43 and a strike rate of 135.87, demonstrating his overall consistency and ability to impact matches.
2. Jos Buttler
Base Price: INR 2 Crores Released by: Rajasthan Royals
Buttler’s release by Rajasthan Royals (RR) was one of the biggest surprises leading into the IPL 2025 auction. Buttler has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL over the last few years, known for his explosive batting and match-winning innings. In 2022, he was in sensational form, scoring 863 runs at an average of 57.5 across 17 matches, which included four fifties and an impressive strike rate of 149.5.
Though his form dipped slightly in 2023, he still managed to score 392 runs at an average of 39.2 in 14 matches, including three half-centuries. Buttler found his groove again in 2024, contributing 359 runs from 11 matches at an average of 32.6, which included two match-winning centuries. Over the last three seasons, Buttler has scored a total of 1614 runs from 42 innings, with an average of 46.6 and a strike rate of 145.6, showcasing his consistency and ability to deliver when it matters the most.
Base Price: INR 2 Crores Released by: Delhi Capitals
Pant has been a standout performer for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL, and although he was unavailable for the 20243season due to injury, his past IPL performances make him an attractive prospect in the 2025 auction. Pant has been a consistent run-scorer, scoring over 300 runs in almost every IPL season since his debut. In 2024, Pant scored 446 runs in just 13 matches, showcasing his ability to provide stability and power in the middle order.
Pant’s aggressive batting, combined with his leadership experience, makes him an appealing option for any team looking for an Indian wicketkeeper-batter with leadership potential. His base price of INR 2 crores is likely to spark a bidding war, especially as franchises look to fill their middle-order spots with a reliable player who can also take charge in pressure situations. Pant’s ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries at key moments is invaluable for any IPL franchise.
4. Quinton de Kock
Base Price: INR 2 Crores Released by: Lucknow Super Giants
De Kock is a seasoned campaigner in the IPL, having played 107 matches and scored over 3000 runs. Although his recent performances in the IPL have been somewhat below expectations, de Kock remains a dangerous opening batter with the ability to change the course of a match in a matter of overs. His experience and consistent performances with teams like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) make him a valuable option for any team looking to strengthen their top order.
De Kock’s recent IPL performances have shown some variation. In 2022, he was in excellent form, scoring 508 runs at an average of 36.3 from 15 matches, including four half-centuries. The following year, in 2023, he struggled in a limited number of matches, managing 143 runs at an average of 35.8 from just 4 innings. However, in 2024, he found some rhythm again, contributing 250 runs from 11 matches at an average of 22.7, including three half-centuries. Over the last three seasons, de Kock has scored a total of 901 runs, with an average of 31.1 and a strike rate of 143.2, demonstrating his ability to provide aggressive starts.
Base Price: INR 2 Crores Released by: Lucknow Super Giants
KL Rahul (Image Source: X)
Rahul is one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, and his release by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2025 mega auction has come as a surprise to many. Rahul has been a fixture in the IPL for several seasons, with his ability to anchor the innings and score at a healthy strike rate making him a valuable asset to any franchise. He is known for his elegant stroke play, solid technique, and ability to handle pressure situations, making him one of the most sought-after players in the auction.
Rahul’s IPL journey has been impressive. In 2022, he scored 616 runs in 14 matches at an average of 51.33, including four half-centuries and two hundreds with a strike rate of 136.13, leading Lucknow as captain. Even in 2023, Rahul remained consistent before getting ruled out due to injury, amassing 274 runs from 9 matches at an average of 34.25, including two fifties.
In 2024, although he had a slower start to the season, Rahul managed to score 520 runs from 14 matches at an average of 37.14, providing stability at the top of the order for Lucknow. His ability to perform consistently across seasons has made him a key player in the IPL. Rahul’s leadership skills, combined with his solid batting technique, make him a prime target for franchises looking to build around a reliable opener.
Rahul has a total of 3479 runs from 132 innings in the IPL over the past three seasons, with an average of 45.47 and a strike rate of 134.9, making him one of the most dependable and effective batter in the league.
Team India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul was put in a challenging situation when asked to choose his ideal teammate for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). Rahul was given the options of veteran batters Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, who have been retained by their respective franchises.
Rahul was released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, which is scheduled to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Super Giants retained Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan for the IPL 2025.
This Is A Real Pickle You Have Put Me In – KL Rahul
During an interview on Star Sports, KL Rahul was asked to choose his ideal IPL 2025 teammate from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni in a segment called ‘KL in a Pickle’. Rahul admitted it was a difficult question to choose just one, adding that he had enjoyed playing with all three.
“Pick an IPL teammate in 2025 – Rohit, Virat or Dhoni?” the host asked.
“I don’t know. It’s a tough one. This is a real pickle you have put me in. I have enjoyed playing with all of them. Very tough to answer,” Rahul replied.
Watch from 17:10 onwards:
Virat Kohli Is All-Time Leading Run-Scorer In IPL History
Virat Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL with 8,004 runs. Rohit Sharma is third with 6,628 runs, while MS Dhoni is sixth with 5,243 runs. Rahul is currently in 11th place with 4,683 runs in 132 matches at an impressive average of 45.47 and strike rate of 134.61, including 4 centuries and 37 fifties.
KL Rahul also captained the Lucknow Super Giants from 2022 to 2024. The team reached the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 but couldn’t clinch the title. However, they finished seventh in the points table in 2024. The Karnataka-born cricketer will enter the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price of ₹2 crore.
Would Never Go And Task Someone For It – KL Rahul
KL Rahul emphasized that he would never ask for the captaincy, but he is open to taking on the responsibility after his experience in leading the team over the past few years.
“I would never go and ask someone for it. If you feel that my leadership skills are good enough… and the way I handled my team in the last four to five years… If you find it worthy, then of course I am happy to do it,” Rahul said.
The 32-year-old batter is the leading run-scorer for LSG in the IPL, having accumulated 1,410 runs in 38 matches at an average of 41.47 and a strike rate of 130.67, including two centuries and 10 fifties. Before his stint with LSG in the tournament, Rahul captained Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a couple of years.
The second unofficial Test match between Australia A and India A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw a bizarre dismissal of KL Rahul. The incident unfolded on Day 2, where Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli sent back Rahul for just 10.
KL Rahul’s dismissal raises eyebrows
In the 18th over of India’s second innings, right-arm off-spinner Rocchiccioli bowled a delivery that seemed destined to miss the leg stump. However, Rahul attempted to block the ball using his pads to avoid any possibility of an edge or dismissal. In a twist of fate, the ball ricocheted off Rahul’s left leg, traveled through his legs, and ultimately clipped the bails on the off stump. This unexpected trajectory left fans visibly disappointed, as Rahul didn’t even tried to play the ball.
Rahul’s latest dismissal further reflects his ongoing struggle with form. Earlier in the match, the right-handed batter was dismissed for 4 in the first innings, and his unfortunate wicket in the second essay adds to a series of low scores.
By the end of Day 2, India A managed to score 73 runs but faced setbacks with five wickets down, leading Australia A by 11 runs. They now rely on wicketkeeper batter Dhruv Jurel, who remains not out on 19, and lower-order batter Nitish Reddy, unbeaten on 9, to extend their lead on Day 3. The match is on a knife-edge as India A battles to establish a defensible target.
With Australia A holding a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, this second unofficial Test is a must-win for India A to avoid a series loss. Australia’s victory in the first game has put India under pressure, making the final days of this encounter critical.
India National Cricket Team star KL Rahul will be a backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant in the upcoming second Test against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team. The last match of the series is set to be played at the Green Park in Kanpur from 27th September.
India have named the unchanged squad for the second Test against Bangladesh National Cricket Team. But all the players won’t be available for the team in the game. Indian players Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal were named in the Rest of India squad for the upcoming Irani Cup match against Mumbai, slated to begin on October 1.
But the statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India mentioned that Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal’s participation will be subjected to them not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh. They most likely won’t be featured for the national team as the team has a fixed combination.
Dhruv Jurel, in particular, is unlikely to play in the second Test because Rishabh Pant made a grand comeback to Test cricket. The left-hander slammed a sensational hundred in the second innings and helped his team win the first game of the series by a massive margin of 280 runs.
Therefore Dhruv Jurel is almost set to feature in the Irani Cup match. This leaves the Indian Team without a backup keeper in the team. But the India National Cricket Team have already chalked out the plan for this for the upcoming second Test against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team.
KL Rahul will be the backup keeper in the second Test against Bangladesh
As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that KL Rahul will be the backup keeper in the second Test against Bangladesh. He performed the role for the team during the two-match Test series against the South Africa National Cricket Team, which took place in December-January 2023-24.
KL Rahul performed a great role for the team with the gloves during the South Africa tour. The right-hander didn’t make any errors and took brilliant catches behind the stumps. And that also didn’t affect his batting as he slammed a terrific century as well for the team in the first game of the series
KL Rahul played as a pure batter in the first game against Bangladesh. He batted in the middle order but looked locked at the crease. In the first innings, 16 runs off 52 balls but played freely in the second innings. He made an unbeaten 22 runs off 19 balls with 4 boundaries before India declared the innings.
KL Rahul would be eager to make a massive impact in the second innings with the bat. Going into the Test series against New Zealand National Cricket Team and Australia National Cricket Team, the right-hander would be a vital cog in the wheel for his team in the middle order.
India won the first Test of the series against Bangladesh by a massive margin of 280 runs. They would be keen to continue their good form and win the second game to complete the 2-0 whitewash in the series.
