‘He would be my first choice…’: DC mentor wants KL Rahul to bat at THIS spot for India in T20Is

Pitersen wants KL Rahul to play in this role for India in T20Is

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 (DC) 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 DC 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,” Pietersen told PTI.

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,” Pietersen said.

“I’ve had a lot of incredibly brilliant conversations with him about batting, a lot of deep and meaningful conversations because when you grow up as a youngster like he did, you get taught defence, elbow up, play in the V,” Pietersen added.