Cricket News Today: Virat Kohli reflects on captaincy, KL Rahul to keep in ODIs and T20Is and more - 23rd January 2020

#2 Virat Kohli confirms KL Rahul as keeper for NZ T20Is and ODIs

KL Rahul is set for an extended spell as the first-choice wicket-keeper

In a startling revelation, Indian captain Virat Kohli stated that batsman KL Rahul will continue to keep wickets despite the presence of Rishabh Pant in the squad. Rahul, who was given the responsibility behind the stumps after Pant was concussed in the first ODI against Australia, impressed with his clean takes and good DRS calls.

Kohli reiterated the fact of sticking to KL Rahul as a wicket-keeper batsman as it also opens up a lot of options to experiment before the T20 World Cup.

“Him [Rahul] doing really well with the gloves has opened up another scenario for us where it gives us a lot more balance in playing an extra batter."

“If he can ‘keep and bat that well then why not have an extra batsman in the playing XI. This is something we are looking to continue with for a while. Not to take anything away from anyone else, this just brings the best balance to the side. I know there will be a lot of talk around what will now happen to some other players, but for us, the most important thing is what the team requires and the best balance we can create as a side.”

Full article: Virat Kohli confirms KL Rahul will continue keeping wickets for India; hints at Prithvi Shaw's inclusion in ODIs