KL Rahul, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants, has received clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to lead his team in the upcoming IPL 2024 season.
However, due to a quadriceps strain sustained during the first Test against England, he has been advised against taking up wicket-keeping duties initially.
Despite the setback, Rahul remains focused on his batting prowess, as evidenced by a recent video showcasing his skills in batting and basic keeping drills at the NCA.
While he will join his team in Lucknow ahead of their first match against Rajasthan Royals, he will prioritize batting over keeping for the initial games.
Lucknow Super Giants are unfazed by Rahul’s absence from behind the stumps, given the presence of experienced wicket-keepers Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran in their squad.
However, Rahul’s ability to keep wickets could be crucial for his inclusion in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
Although unlikely to secure a top-three batting position in the Indian T20I team, Rahul could prove valuable as a keeper-batsman in lower positions, provided he delivers stellar performances in the IPL.
Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are also formidable options, with Pant having the opportunity to strengthen his case through impactful displays in the tournament.
