Asia Cup: KL Rahul keeps wickets at nets ahead of INDO-PAK clash

Can KL Rahul keep wickets for entire duration of an ODI? That question has gared steam after his inclusion in India squad for ongoing Asia Cup and upcoming World Cup.

But on Friday, Rahul might have answered a few sceptics while keeping for nearly 45 minutes at nets.

Even though Rahul has been batting quite fluently at NCA match simulation process and at nets here, his wicketkeeping remained a subject of speculation.

Rahul's intense keeping drill at nets might have also brightened his chance of getting included in India’s playing 11 for Super 4 match against Pakistan on Sunday.

Rahul last played for India in an ODI match against Australia in Chennai in March this year.

Going through various scenarios of a match was at core of Rahul’s training at Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

training started with Rahul standing up to stumps as two support staff members did duties of batter and bowler, a simulation of keeping to spinners.

Rahul was given a test on collecting ball outside off-stump, and 31-year-old also mand to crouch for entire duration of training without much discomfort.

It might have given team manment a vivid portend about Rahul’s recovery from a niggle which was independent of right thigh injury that mandated a surgery and rehabilitation.

Rahul soon shifted his focus to collecting ball down leg-side as support staff aimed his throws in that direction.

Rahul aced test without much difficulty, and glided down leg to collect balls.

drill followed an assessment to test his ability to affect stumpings, and later Kuldeep Yadav batted as Rahul’s readiness to keep against a left-handed batter was also put under test.

clear indications of his readiness twithstanding, team manment will have to apply deep thoughts about giving Rahul a place in 11.

In absence of Rahul, Ishan Kishan has been playing wicket-keeper batter role.

Kishan made four half-centuries in as many matches – 3 against West Indies and one against Pakistan, to impress all.

Jharkhand left-hander also showed heartening adaptability in this interim. Kishan batted in his preferred opening slot against Windies.

But manment asked him to bat at . 5 against Pakistan in Asia Cup league match, and Kishan produced a composed 81-ball 82.

manment might be tempted to continue with Kishan but return of Rahul might have started a change in thinking.

In past too one has seen players walking straight back into 11 after recuperation, with latest example being Shreyas Iyer.

Mumbaikar, who made a return to India side during match against Pakistan at Pallekele after a hiatus of 6 months, was allotted . 4 slot, his chosen position.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, who was travelling reserve, returned to India after Rahul joined squad here.

Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who skipped Asia Cup league match against Nepal to be with his wife for birth of ir first child, too has rejoined squad, and sweated it out at nets.