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Dravid mentioned that the team is clear about this decision, and the selection will now be between KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel for the wicketkeeper-batter role.
“Rahul will not be playing as a wicket-keeper in this series, and we are clear about that in the selection itself.
We have picked two other wicket-keepers, and obviously Rahul did a fantastic job for us in South Africa and really played a big part in helping us draw the series. But considering five Test matches (against England) and playing in these conditions, the selection will be between the two other keepers we have,” Dravid stated.
While Rahul showcased commendable wicket-keeping skills in South Africa, Bharat has proven his mettle both behind the stumps and with the bat.
Bharat stepped in for Rishabh Pant in the past, performing well in Indian conditions. Therefore, Bharat is likely to be favored for the wicketkeeper-batter role in the upcoming Test series against England.
“The nature of pitches in India makes it mandatory for a wicketkeeper to stand up to the wickets against spinners, in this case, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, a role that should be assigned to a specialist stumper,” Dravid added.
Considering Bharat’s experience in Indian conditions and his overall contributions, he is expected to be the preferred choice for the wicketkeeper’s role in the series against England. The team management values the importance of a specialist wicketkeeper, especially in home conditions where spin plays a crucial role.
The first Test of the series is scheduled to begin on Thursday, and the decision on the wicketkeeper-batter role will be crucial for India’s strategy against England.
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(With inputs from PTI)
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