IPL 2018: Look who is set to keep wickets for Kings XI Punjab this season

The Kings XI Punjab are all set to enter the IPL 2018 with a revamped setup. They have had three poor seasons in a row. Now, they are keen on putting up a much better show this season. If the Director of Cricketing Operations of KXIP, Virender Sehwag, is to be believed, then this is the best KXIP side ever. In a recent update, it has been revealed that KXIP could go with a non-regular wicketkeeper in the tournament. And that player to don the gloves would be – KL Rahul.

KL Rahul has kept wickets for Karnataka in the domestic circuit. Also, he had sported the gloves for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. With Rahul taking the gloves, the team gets an additional slot to accommodate a batsman or a bowler. Recently, KL admitted that he has been told to practice on his skills behind the stumps. He noted that he will try to give his best in whatever capacity he plays for the team.

“For now, I will be keeping is what I know. But you never know, the game is fast and you got to be flexible in your head. There will be changes according to the situation, wickets and other factors. So you can’t really tell who is going to be permanent in any position,” KL Rahul told Sportstar on Thursday.

“As I am not a regular keeper, it will be quite challenging skill-wise and for the body, but I will try to give my best shot. You got to keep it simple, do your best and hope for the best to happen,” he added further.

Another keeper in frame

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the Kings XI Punjab had shelled out INR 1 crore to buy the services of Akshdeep Nath at the auctions this year. Akshdeep, who was with the Gujarat Lions last year, is also a handy keeper. He remarked that there is nothing fixed as yet. He added that whoever gets the opportunity to keep will give his best shot.

“Now I am putting in more hours with the special trainers. You need different set of muscles that you need to use. Keeping is about spotting every ball and sight movements are involved. I know K. L. for a long time, he is a good guy and an exceptional player. There is no such thing as to who is the first ‘keeper or who is the second. We both have kept for our state, so the preparations are going well,” Akshdeep Nath mentioned.

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