KL Rahul set to reshape his career as middle-order bat across formats

Wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul’s days as an opening batter might soon end as he sees a permanent switch to the middle order across all formats. He has already settled into the No. 5 spot for the Indian ODI side, and other formats could soon follow suit.

On Tuesday night, KL Rahul embarked on his journey to South Africa, where he is set to lead the India team in 3 ODIs and feature in 2 Tests against South Africa. It marks a significant shift in Rahul’s career as he takes on a bigger role as a wicketkeeper batter.

Leading this as KL Rahul 2.0 might be a tad premature assessment, it marks the early stages of a new chapter in his cricketing journey as the era of KL Rahul is poised to become a relic of the past.

It appears increasingly likely that he will not only handle the gloves in the three ODIs but also take up the wicketkeeping duties in the Test matches. While Ishan Kishan has earned a spot in the 16-man squad, insider information suggests that Rahul will be the preferred choice for wicketkeeping over Ishan, just like he has done in ODIs for some time now.

Over the upcoming days, in the two Tests against Proteas, the subsequent five Tests against England, and the upcoming IPL season, Rahul’s transformation into a middle-order batsman will be closely observed. Incidentally, in the last Test he played against the Aussies in New Delhi, he had opened the innings.

There are compelling signs that Rahul is keen on establishing himself as a wicketkeeper-middle-order batsman. Once one takes up the keeping gloves, a middle-order slot may be the obvious position for a batter in Tests but he is working on his strike-rate to fit into the new role in all formats.

Even for LSG in IPL, where he has opened the innings, Rahul is expected to play in the middle order. He wants to evolve himself as a middle-order batsman across formats and establish himself there”, as per reports.

Despite being an opener for the majority of his career, he opened for India in 44 Tests, 23 ODIs, and 55 T20Is in his 9 years international player career. Rahul is serious about this transition and aims to focus only on the middle-order slot. His recent success in the ODI format in the Asia Cup and World Cup, he scored 452 runs in 10 games played at an average of 75.

Encouraged by his accomplishments in the middle order, Rahul has to discuss with the team management inclusing captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The main goal is to secure a middle-order position across all formats.

In the IPL, Rahul has explored the possibility of adapting to a middle-order role for the Lucknow Super Giants. Considering the presence of Quintonde Kock, Kyle Mayers, and Devdutt Padikkal – all recognized openers in LSG, discussions about a potential shift to the middle order have taken place.