World Cup 2019: MSK Prasad names Rahul as reserve opener for the quadrennial event
Rahul inclusion as a reserve player strengthens the bench as well and will be a boost to the playing XI.
It was a day of surprises and the chief selector MSK Prasad has conveniently revealed the 15-man squad for the World Cup. there has been a lot of euphoria around in the social media. The talk of the town is KXIP’s leading run-getter, KL Rahul, who is a happy-go-lucky man for getting selected in the squad. Despite not playing a lot of one-dayers, he grabbed eyeballs with his meek performances overseas.
KL Rahul though punched the World Cup ticket, will be utilized as a reserve opener or depending on the team condition, will be played middle the order. If the openers Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan are injured, then Rahul would take their place and make his presence to be prominent.
“To begin with, KL Rahul will be reserve opener. If the need arises the team management will take a call on him playing in the middle-order,” MSK Prasad said while addressing the media during the squad announcement on Monday. The main reason why selectors picked was that he has more overseas experience when compared to other youngsters in the team. He might be used in both the positions and also can be used as a backup wicketkeeper if Dhoni gets injured as well. So, he can be utilized in different dimensions.
Making his debut in 2016 against Zimbabwe, the 26-year-old batsman has played 14 ODI matches so far. In his first outing, the Karnataka batsman has proved his presence to be counted with an unbeaten ton in Harare. There is no looking back since then, as he got the stranglehold of the spot in the team. Interestingly, India have been looking at him as one of the best prospects for playing back-to-back overseas series. He already played five matches in England. Besides England, he played against Afghanistan, Australia, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka since his inclusion in the team. He is hopeful of being resourceful by being a backbone whenever required.
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