Published 14:57 IST, January 25th 2020

KL Rahul enjoys being 'more proactive' in cricket with additional wicketkeeping duties

KL Rahul is currently being played as the primary Team India wicketkeeper instead of Rishabh Pant as it allows skipper Virat Kohli to play an extra batsman.

Reported by: Mrigank Pandey
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Indian cricketer KL Rahul extended his good form as he me a scintillating half-century against New Zealand to help India win first NZ vs IND T20I at Auckland. In a surprising turn of events, KL Rahul has also been appointed by Virat Kohli as primary wicketkeeper for team inste of Rishabh Pant. India will take on New Zealand at same venue on Sunday for second T20I.

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KL Rahul is gl about opportunities that have come his way

KL Rahul donned wicketkeeping gloves for Team India after Rishabh Pant was concussed in first ODI versus Australia at Mumbai earlier this month. While Rahul was keeping as a backup for Pant, a surprising turn of events occurred when Rahul continued to be keeper even after Delhiite was fit to play. Later, skipper Virat Kohli revealed that playing KL Rahul as a keeper allowed him to play an extra batsman in squ. On Friday, Rahul solidified his place furr when he led Indian chase with his fifty and kept well.

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In post-match press conference, Rahul talked about his appreciation for wicketkeeping role that he has been given in Indian team. Rahul clarified that he is t a strange to wicketkeeping as he h been keeping wickets for Kings XI Punjab in Indian Premier League (IPL) and even Karnataka in domestic cricket. Rahul ded that being wicket-keeper helps him understand pitch better and convey his insights to captain and bowlers.

He also mentioned that kwing pitch helps him in chasing a total down if team is batting second. Rahul scored 56 off 27 balls in Friday's T20 international against New Zealand in Auckland while opening batting. In December 2019, he was also appointed as new captain of Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2020.

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14:57 IST, January 25th 2020