KL Rahul keeping wickets in Tests is not a long-term for India, captain Rohit Sharma said on Monday. The right-hander was asked to don the gloves for the South Africa Test series as it gives India the privilege to play an extra batter, Rohit clarified.
The Indian captain said the team will opt for a regular wicket-keeper over KL Rahul when it comes to tracks where spinners become vital. Thus, it is likely that Rahul will be relieved of duties behind the stumps against England with three spinners in operation, the skipper indicated.
Rohit Sharma also expressed his satisfaction over Rahul's willingness and flexibility to accept the challenge.
"I don't know how long he wants to keep but he is quite keen to take up the role. ...Every cricketer needs to go through some kind of transformation in their career, hardly few players, who start at one position and play throughout in that position, KL is one of them.
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"The way he (Rahul) kept in World Cup, it was quite pleasing. He is really working hard and he himself is quite keen to take up that role, so it gives us an option to play a solid batter at either No 5, 6 or 7," Rohit Sharma was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Rohit also confirmed that KL will be part of the visiting side's middle order against the Proteas. "He got 100 last time while opening the innings. But this time, he will play in middle order, we have seen he does most of the things right in that position in ODIs.
"He bats in the middle order, he understands situations and is an experienced player. He knows what exactly what is required at different stages of the game and gives us solid balance," he said.
India and South Africa will clash at Centurion in the first of the two Tests on Tuesday.
