New Delhi, April 28: KL Rahul is best placed to bat at number four and keep wickets for India in next year’s T20 World Cup, believes Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen.
With his intent in the shortest format being questioned in the past, Rahul has tweaked his approach to be the leading run-getter for Delhi Capitals this season.
The competition for the wicket-keeper-batter’s slot in the national team is stiff with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan being the other options for the selectors.
Rahul has not been a part of India’s T20 setup since the 2022 World Cup but Pietersen reckons not only has he done enough to warrant a comeback, he is best suited for the wicket-keeper-batter’s role. “I’d bat KL at four for India in T20 cricket. I think you guys have got plenty of opening batters.
“But the way KL Rahul is playing cricket now, he would be my first choice to bat at four, and keep wickets for India,” said Pietersen in response to a PTI query after DC’s loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday night.
At the start of the season, Rahul himself had talked about his renewed approach towards the T20 format.
Besides the stellar show in IPL, it was Rahul’s recent performances for India in ODI cricket that left a huge impression on Pietersen, one of the best batters to have played for England. “KL has been playing in a very positive manner since…mid to late last year. We saw how he finished off a couple of the games for India and almost sealed the deal in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. (PTI)
