KL Rahul gets NCA clearance to play IPL 2024, may not keep wickets in initial games

KL Rahul is set to take charge of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after getting clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. However, he may not be available to keep wickets in the first few matches.

The Karnataka batter suffered a right hamstring injury while playing in the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad in January. He went to the United Kingdom and consulted a specialist doctor before returning to India on March 3 and joining the NCA for further rehab and recuperation.

Now, according to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source, the experienced campaigner has been cleared by the NCA to participate in IPL 2024. He is set to join the Lucknow contingent on Thursday, March 20 as they gear up for their season opener against Rajasthan Royals on Monday, March 24 in Jaipur.

“The NCA has given him clearance and he will join his mates in Lucknow on Thursday (March 20) before they travel to Jaipur for the opening game against Rajasthan Royals on March 24. It is understood that he has been told to avoid squatting initially and he can don the gloves in coming days. For first few games, he will only play as pure batter,” a BCCI source tracking the developments of LSG was quoted as saying by The Economic Times.

It is understood that the Super Giants aren't too concerned with Rahul not being able to don the wicketkeeping gloves as they have two renowned wicketkeeper-batters in Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran on their side. The latter is also the vice-captain of the franchise for this season, replacing Krunal Pandya.

If he plays purely as batter, you have far better option in Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant: BCCI source

However, for Rahul, keeping is going to be an important aspect as he aims to reclaim his spot in India's T20 setup. The 31-year-old made his last T20I appearance for the Men in Blue in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup in 2022 against England.

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“Rahul will not be considered for a top three slot in the Indian T20 team considering his previous performances. He can be that keeper-batter at number five or six, if he has a decent IPL. But if he plays purely as a batter, you have a far better option in Rinku Singh, apart from Rishabh Pant, who might just stake a claim with some power-packed performances,” a BCCI source privy to developments said.