KL Rahul Shouldn’t be Bothered With Wicketkeeping in The Indian Team: Brian Lara

The legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara advised India Cricket Team to not burden KL Rahul with wicketkeeping and instead, he should be given an opportunity to focus on his batting. Lara also believes that Rishabh Pant has matured a lot in the past year and his name should be considered as India’s number one wicketkeeper-batsman.

Rahul played a superb role as a wicketkeeper during the limited-overs series against Australia and during India’s tour of New Zealand earlier this year. Consequently, other options have been tried including Rahul who has done a decent job behind the stumps and has also found success in various batting positions as well.

Rahul Should Not Be Bothered With Wicketkeeping: Lara

“Well, first of all, I would like to say that KL Rahul should not be bothered with wicketkeeping when it comes to that Indian squad,” Lara said on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected. “He’s such a great batsman that I feel that he should concentrate on that and put in a lot of runs on the board.”

Rahul has scored 302 runs in the Indian Premier League with the help of one century and two half-centuries in five matches so far.

If He Continues That Way, I Think That He Should The No. 1: Brian Lara

Rishabh Pant is believed to be the successor of Mahendra Singh Dhoni but he faced criticism due to poor wicketkeeping early in his career. But Lara believes that the young cricketer, who scored 171 runs in the IPL, has become matured enough in the last one year and is taking more responsibility while playing for Delhi Capitals.

“Rishabh Pant a year ago, I would say no, but I feel that he has stepped up in terms of his responsibility as a batsman. Look at how he plays for Delhi Capitals, it looks like he wants that responsibility, he wants that onus on him to score runs, build an innings and get big scores. If he continues that way, I think that he should the No. 1.,” he said.

Sanju Samson still needs to improve a bit: Brian Lara

On Sanju Samson’s bar, Lara said that the 25-year-old cricketer still needs to improve a bit.

“Sanju Samson, who is not ‘keeping for Rajasthan Royals, but I do understand that he keeps, that’s one of his main jobs very classy player, looks good so far in the tournament in Sharjah. I feel there’s a little chink in his armoury in terms of his technique against very good bowling on sporty tracks,” he said.

“I feel there’s a little chink in his armoury in terms of his technique against very good bowling on sporty tracks.”