India’s opening batsman KL Rahul has been recalled for the all-important fourth Test of the ongoing series between India and England, in Mumbai. KL Rahul was released from the squad because a forearm injury that he picked in the second Test in Vizag. Before that, KL Rahul was dropped from the squad that played against New Zealand, because of a hamstring injury.
KL Rahul has played 10 Test matches for India, scoring three hundreds with a total of 532 runs and an average of 33.64. He didn’t do much to impress selectors in second test, where he only managed to score a 0 & 10 in both the innings.
With Shikhar Dhawan proving his fitness and form at the domestic level, the selectors aren’t left with too many options. Parthiv Patel, who was picked as a replacement for injured Wriddhiman Saha, opened the innings with Murali Vijay in the third Test, but he can’t be looked on as a long-term opener for India. KL Rahul is young and he has shown that he is well accustomed to open the innings at Test match level. He gave good performances in the Test series against West Indies in Carribean and since then India have invested in him and they want him to open the innings with Murali Vijay.
India’s Test skipper Virat Kohli also said in a press-coneference before the second Test of the ongoing series that, KL Rahul is India’s first-choice opener in Test cricket along with Murali Vijay. Kohli was very clear in his thought process that India want to invest in Rahul as they see him as a long-term prospect for the opening slot.
KL Rahul’s inclusion in the squad means Parthiv Patel will have to bat down the order and it will be interesting to see how he reacts to this change. Patel is not India’s first-choice wicketkeeper but he can surely cause a selection dilemma with good consistent performances.
