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India are all set to kickstart their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign with an exciting clash against Australia in Match 5, scheduled at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the thrilling showdown, one key question looms over the Indian team – who will don the gloves and play the role of the first-choice wicket-keeper in the prestigious tournament?
The Indian team management has included KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as the wicket-keepers in the 15-member World Cup 2023 squad.
Piyush Chawla, the former Indian cricketer, who was a part of the MS Dhoni-led 2011 World Cup-winning squad, opined on one of the most debated topics among the Indian cricketing fraternity in recent times: the selection of India’s first-choice wicket-keeper for the multi-nation event.
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Chawla’s choice
Speaking on the ‘Game Plan’ show on Star Sports, Chawla expressed trust in Rahul’s abilities and opined that he is well-suited to take on India’s primary wicket-keeper role. The 34-year-old emphasized Rahul’s batting skills, composure under pressure, and recent performances as contributing factors to his endorsement.
“Although Ishan Kishan is a specialist keeper, but KL has shown immense improvement in his keeping and the kind of batting KL is doing recently, gives you a lot of confidence, when you see the match from outside you get a glimpse of how the player is batting and what kind of form he is going through and KL is looking very good at the time. If the team is needing fast runs he is doing that, if the team is needing calm batting approach he is delivering that too. He is playing every role efficiently so i think KL Rahul will remain the first-choice keeper,” mentioned Chawla.
