Indian batsman KL Rahul turned 28 today, and Twitter was abuzz with good wishes from teammates, family members and fans.
Hardik Pandya was one of the earliest to begin the wishes. He was followed by ICC, Kings XI Punjab and Wriddhiman Saha.https://twitter.com/Phani263/status/1251315314748469250
Happy Birthday @klrahul11 !!!! One cannot simply hit the best bowler for a six in extra cover region.. Top Class Shot.. All the Best For Future… #HappyBirthdayKLRahul @KLRAHUL_FANclub @KLs_Pooja @KLRahul_Club @KLrahul_ @KLRahulUniverse @ponananthvs pic.twitter.com/JQiZ0USl2v
— Phani Teja (@Phani263) April 18, 2020
Classic Shots of @klrahul11 !!!
Video Credits : @KLs_Pooja @KLRahul_Club @KLRAHUL_FANclub @KLrahul_ @KLRahulUniverse @KLRahulFC @ponananthvs @DrogonDracarys_ @KLRahulFans @Inder_Writes @lionsdenkxip #SaddaCaptain #SaddaSHER pic.twitter.com/9ML2hNhorj
— Phani Teja (@Phani263) April 18, 2020
36 Tests, 32 ODIs, 42 T20Is
4,706 international runs
First player to score a century on ODI debut
Third Indian to score a century in all three formats of the gameHappy birthday, KL Rahul pic.twitter.com/gcrbRFVtzH
— ICC (@ICC) April 18, 2020
Happy Birthday @klrahul11 !! Lots of love and good-wishes bro. #happybirthday #klrahul pic.twitter.com/p1gRRvbfT3
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) April 18, 2020
Happy Birthday @klrahul11 ! Wish you loads of love, happiness and a tonne of runs Keep smiling and shining always. #birthdayboy #Ting pic.twitter.com/LueqaagAGK
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) April 18, 2020
A week ago, Former India opener Gautam Gambhir says if IPL is not played this year, it will be difficult for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to make a comeback to the Indian team.
“If the IPL does not happen this year, then it will become very difficult for MS Dhoni to make a comeback. On what basis can he (Dhoni) be selected since he’s not been playing for the last one or one and a half year,” Gambhir said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’.
The 38-year-old Gambhir picked KL Rahul, who has been keeping in ODIs, as an “apt replacement” for Dhoni.
“Obviously his (Rahul’s) keeping is not as good as Dhoni’s, but if you are looking at T20 cricket, Rahul’s a utility player, can keep and bat at No. 3 or 4. If the IPL does not happen, then Dhoni’s chances for a comeback look dim. “Ultimately, you are representing India, so whoever dishes out the best performance and can win the match for India should play for the team,” added Gambhir.
However, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif on Wednesday said KL Rahul should only be used as a backup wicket-keeper so that workload on the player can be managed.
“People think that Rahul may become our main keeper in the future. But I feel that Rahul should be used as a backup wicketkeeper, if the main keeper is injured or he is not with the team then Rahul should be there because if you rely on him as the main keeper then chances of injuries will grow as the workload will increase on him,” Kaif told ANI.
Kaif also feels that MS Dhoni should feature in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and ruling the former captain out from the tournament will be ‘unfair’.