The three Indian squads for their tour to Australia were named on Monday. There were quite surprises in them, but one decision taken by the selectors was talked about more than the others. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul was named deputy to Virat Kohli for the limited-overs leg of the tour, starting next month.
The journey from starting out in Australia in Test cricket just under six years ago, as a 22-year-old after having performed well for Karnataka, to now coming within shouting distance of leading India in white-ball cricket has been a topsy-turvy one. With Rohit collaborating Shikhar Dhawan formidably at the top of the order, Rahul has had to wait for his chances to play at his preferred spot.
Kohli has found it tough as well to accommodate Rahul in the top-order. However, credit must go to the latter that when he got his chance, in a different role as a batsman-wicket keeper earlier this year, he performed with aplomb.
That showing, coupled with his incredibly consistent run in the ongoing Indian Premier League, have meant that Rahul has toppled the much-hyped Rishabh Pant from the primary wicket-keeper's position and made himself a starter in the playing XI, thanks to the two-dimensional feature, which he brings to the table.
That means Kohli can play either an additional batsman or bowler to lend a greater balance to the side. It has happened earlier in this millennium where India have adopted the batsman-wicket keeper approach and succeeded in getting the job done. It was yet another Rahul, yet another Bangalorean.
Rahul Dravid took up double duties in that wonderful phase for Indian cricket from 2000 to 2004 and it meant captain Sourav Ganguly could play the extra batsman in the middle-order.
It remains to be seen how Kohli uses the extra spot with his 'Rahul' keeping in Australia and like the other 'Rahul' serving as the deputy to his skipper Down Under. India's decision to appoint Rahul as Kohli's vice-captain could have another implication. From behind the stumps, like MS Dhoni did, Rahul could evolve into someone who will be of help for Kohli from behind the stumps.
He may not get it as spot on as Dhoni did, but with time, Rahul could mould himself into a reliable person from behind the stumps, giving the captain tips in terms of field placements, where the batsman is looking to line the bowler and changing the field, based on that.
With the bat, Rahul's role could be similar to Dravid's, too. The white-ball squad has Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill and others to play at the top of the order and so, Rahul's role will be to finish matches with the likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and others.
The journey up until for Rahul has been about proving himself as a batsman. From here, it will be about showing himself as a leader. Hopefully, Australia proves to be kind for him, again.
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