India fielding coach R Sridhar has commented on KL Rahul saying the Karnataka opener is not a part-time solution for the Indian cricket team in the One Day Internationals.
Sridhar insisted KL Rahul is not a part-time wicketkeeper. Later on, he recollects a Hyderabad Under-16 team and his players were up against Karnataka back in 2005 when he was Hydrabad’s U-16 head coach. He reveals how impressed he was with a young KL Rahul who was wicketkeeping for his state team.
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“Rahul is not a part-time wicketkeeper. He has kept wicket for Karnataka in U-16, U-19 tournaments. In 2008, I did an NCA camp for the India U-19 boys, and Rahul was part of it. I remember doing a few keeping drills with him because, for me, he was a wicketkeeper even then. No wonder, he has got such good hands even when he fields; he is such a good slip fielder,” Sridhar said.
“Wicket-keeping is something he has done in his formative years. When you learn something at that age, you will never forget it. That’s why when he kept for India out of the blue when Pant got hit on his head by a Pat Cummins bouncer, he was there. He’s got a great mindset for keeping, and he is a keen student of the game. That’s why I keep telling everyone he is not a part-time wicketkeeper.”
As India continues to battle the dreaded COVID-19 while remaining under a lockdown, Sridhar believes Rahul will require attention to detail regarding his reflexes and hand-eye coordination, and for the fielding coach is ready to get Rahul in the groove.
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“I’ve already spoken to (KL) Rahul. When he feels he is ready, I will chart out a program for him to do at home. I’m going to speak to the other wicketkeepers as well, whenever they are mentally ready. As far as keeping is concerned, there are a lot of solo drills you can do at home like throwing balls against the wall, standing behind a chair, having an object as obstruction in front of you and swinging from left to right, and vice-versa,” Sridhar said.
