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KL Rahul. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

According to former opener and renowned commentator, Gautam Gambhir, KL Rahul’s remarkable comeback to international cricket has secured his position as India’s No.4 wicketkeeper-batter for the upcoming ODI World Cup. This statement comes in the wake of Rahul’s brilliant century against Pakistan during the Asia Cup Super 4 clash, marking a triumphant return after an injury-enforced hiatus.

Rahul had been sidelined from the game since May, following an injury sustained during the Indian Premier League. However, his determination and dedication to recovery paid off, allowing him to make a sensational return to the Indian team. In the crucial match against Pakistan, Rahul’s century played a pivotal role in India’s victory over their arch-rivals.

“I think the team management has made it very close that it’s going to be KL Rahul who would be keeping in the World Cup because there was Ishan Kishan, and if Kishan was in the scheme of things of playing on the 11th against Australia, then he would have kept, wickets for India because he was the main wicket-keeper but now in the last two games KL Rahul has kept wicket,”  Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports. 

Gambhir also shed light on the remaining uncertainty in the Indian batting order, particularly the No.5 position. Several options are under consideration, such as introducing Shreyas Iyer, positioning Suryakumar Yadav at seven and Hardik Pandya at five, or placing Ravindra Jadeja in the fifth slot. However, Gambhir emphasized the significance of backing KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper-batter at number four.

“So the number five position is now open. Whether Shreyas Iyer comes into it, whether they play Suryakumar at seven and Hardik at five or Jadeja at five, now KL Rahul has secured that number four spot as a wicketkeeper-batsman. So, it is pretty much clear, which is good for Indian cricket that they have backed KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper now and who’s batting at number four,” Gambhir added.