'He should be used only as a backup wicketkeeper' - Mohammad Kaif concerened about KL Rahul's workload

Over the past few months, KL Rahul’s success story is no less than a dream-come-true for the Karanataka batsman. The right-hander has been delivering exemplary performances in T20Is as well as ODIs and has now emerged as one of the vital cogs of the national side. Be it wicketkeeping, batting at No.4 position or opening the innings– KL Rahul has not let down the team management and has proved his mettle in each role which he has been assigned.

At a time when Rishabh Pant was being scrutinized for his poor glovework and inconsistent performance with the bat, KL Rahul emerged on the scene as a player who can mould in multiple roles. Rahul has ensured that the national side doesn’t miss the services of Pant by delivering impressive performances behind the stumps. Many fans also believe that the 27-year-old has cemented his position as the main wicketkeeper-batsman of India.

However, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif feels otherwise. Kaif feels that Rahul should be used as a backup wicketkeeper. If the team management relies too much on the right-hander, then chances of him getting injured will increase to do his workload.

“People think that Rahul may become our main keeper in the future. But I feel that Rahul should be used as a backup wicketkeeper, if the main keeper is injured or he is not with the team then Rahul should be there because if you rely on him as the main keeper then chances of injuries will grow as the workload will increase on him,” Kaif said as quoted by Mid-day.

Mohammad Kaif opens up on MS Dhoni’s future

Kaif also opined on MS Dhoni’s future in international cricket. The former Indian skipper has not donned the national jersey since India’s defeat in semi-finals of 2019 World Cup. Kaif said that he does not judge Dhoni on the basis of his IPL form and hence, he should not be selected on the basis of his performance in IPL 2020. According to Kaif, Dhoni still has a lot of cricket left in him and so, ruling him out will be unfair.

“See people may have eyes on Dhoni that how he is going to play in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and then there will be talks of the T20 World Cup but my view is different from others. I do not judge Dhoni based on his IPL form. Dhoni is a great batsman and he is fit now, he wants to play IPL, do captaincy and is showing his availability. He has a winning mentality and knows how to win games under pressure,” Kaif said.

“So, I think ruling him out will be unfair. See a lot of cricket is still left in Dhoni and when a player plays for this long, there are ups and downs in his career. It happens with every cricketer not just Dhoni,” he added.