India vs Australia: Huge hint on former vice-captain KL Rahul's new role for Team India

Indian batsman KL Rahul engd in an intense wicketkeeping session on Day 1 of ongoing fourth Test match against Australia. Rahul is t part of playing XI for fourth Test in Ahmedabad but he was seen doing some wicketkeeping practice after Stumps on opening day. Earlier in day, KS Bharat made a big blunder on field as he dropped catch of Australian opener Travis Head off Umesh Yadav's bowling. Bharat also conceded 8 byes while keeping stumps on Day 1.

Netizens took to social media to slam Bharat for his poor wicketkeeping skills on Thursday. Just hours after incident, Rahul was seen doing some keeping practice to finetune his skills. It is highly likely that Rahul will don wicketkeeping gloves for India in upcoming ODI series against Australia in absence of Rishabh Pant. Rahul is also expected to bat in middle order in three-match ODI contest keeping in mind ICC Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India in October-vember. 

Rahul dropped from India's Test XI

Rahul has t been in good batting form for past several months. He hasn't crossed 25-run mark in his last 10 Test kcks and avers less than 35 from 47 matches. Rahul was dropped from third Test of ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to his aver batting performances in first two matches in Nagpur and Delhi. Shubman Gill has been given a chance in place of Rahul in third and fourth Tests. Rahul was recently sacked as vice-captain of Test team owing to his poor form. 

It will be interesting to see if Rahul gets a chance to play in ODI series against Australia or if Ishan Kishan will get go-ahead from team manment.  

As far as ongoing fourth Test match is concerned, Australia have surpassed 400-run mark in first innings after winning toss and electing to bat. Usman Khawaja led Australian batting from front as he scored 180 off 422 balls. Cameron Green also contributed with a century, his maiden in red-ball cricket for Australia. 

Im: AP