Former cricketer Parthiv Patel has been facing flak from fans over his social media post on Indian stumpers in Test cricket. Ahead of the IND vs SA Boxing Day Test in Centurion, Parthiv posted that the team should have a gloveman who has been actively keeping wickets in Ranji Trophy or first-class cricket. But the former cricketer’s remarks weren’t welcomed by the Indian fans after KL Rahul was picked for the India vs South Africa Boxing Day Test, that started Tuesday in Centurion.
Without any prior experience of keeping wickets in domestic First-class games, Rahul was named the keeper-batter in the line-up for the first Test against the Proteas. The Karnataka cricketer got the nod ahead of KS Bharat as Ishan Kishan decided to pull himself out of the series owing to personal reasons.
But a day before the first Test, Patel posted his views on the microblogging site X created which seemed to have left the fans upset.
“india’s test match wicketkeeper should be someone who is keeping regularly in ranji trophy or first class cricket….#imho #INDvSA #IndianCricket,” Patel wrote on Sunday.
india’s test match wicketkeeper should be someone who is keeping regularly in ranji trophy or first class cricket….#imho #INDvSA #IndianCricket— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 24, 2023
Soon, the netizens took to the comment section to justify Rahul’s selection ahead of Bharat who has been keeping for Andhra in Ranji Trophy games since 2013.
Here’s how people reacted to Patel’s comment on X
KL Rahul Lord’s hundred > Your cricketing career tingu. pic.twitter.com/4ZAWVsB9US— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) December 25, 2023
I still believe Rahul should play ahead of KS Bharat.— Hitesh Sattawan (@HiteshM57) December 24, 2023
How many matches did you keep in FC before being selected to play for India in tests. Just curious to know— Parag Mandpe (@ParagMandpe) December 24, 2023
KL Rahul has keeped in domestic 4 days cricket earlier in his career. KL Rahul is a proper wicket keeper batsman.— Manindar Singh (@ErManindar) December 25, 2023
KS Bharat is a walking wicket and more so in SA conditions. KL Rahul is the best option. Also he bats at 5/6 now. So hopefully he has enough time to recover between innings.— Rama (@rammsays) December 24, 2023
Kl has more runs in the last 2 years in ODIs than your international career — cricket is love ❤️ (@Sarandeep__) December 24, 2023
After noticing the reaction of fans, Patel had to issue an explanation about what his previous post meant. He said he didn’t target Rahul but made a point in support of those wicketkeepers who have been toiling hard in the domestic circuit for years.
“My point wasn’t about KL Rahul. He could well be an option to make it in the lineup as a batter. There was never a doubt about his batting ability.
“But what message does this send to the keepers plying their trade in the FC circuit, when you devalue the skill to fit in an extra batter? Our Ranji keepers have more incentive to improve their batting than their keeping, if they follow the trend that leads you to the national side.”
“My point wasn’t about KL Rahul. He could well be an option to make it in the line up as a batter. There was never a doubt about his batting ability.But what message does this send to the keepers plying their trade in the FC circuit, when you devalue the skill to fit in an…
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 26, 2023
Rahul rescues India
Playing as a keeper-batter for the first time, Rahul walked out to bat at No. 6 and took things in his hands when the tourists were reduced to 92/4. While Kagiso Rabada ran through half of the Indian batting line-up, Rahul dropped anchor at one end and played patiently until the day was called off due to bad light. He scored 70 unbeaten as India posted 208/8 at stumps.
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