The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has designated KL Rahul, a skilled wicketkeeper-batter, as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the remaining matches of ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, Indian Express reported.
This decision comes in the wake of Hardik Pandya's lingering ankle injury due to which he has been ruled out of the tournament.
The International Cricket Council officially confirmed that Pandya will be absent for the remainder of the ODI World Cup, failing to recover from a left ankle injury he incurred during a league match against Bangladesh on October 19. The absence of the dynamic all-rounder has prompted the BCCI to entrust Rahul with the role of vice-captaincy for the remainder of the prestigious tournament.
Under this new role, KL Rahul will actively participate in team meetings, offering his valuable insights and guidance to both bowlers and batsmen. The team management will rely on his counsel for crucial decision-making during the matches.
A senior BCCI official told Indian Express that the news was communicated to Rahul by Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the selection committee, who is accompanying the Indian team during their campaign in the World Cup.
In addition to his leadership role, Rahul's performance behind the stumps has been nothing short of exceptional. He has showcased remarkable agility by taking breathtaking catches and executing crucial saves. In the seven matches he has featured in, Rahul has been instrumental in a total of nine dismissals, comprising eight catches and one stumping, solidifying his position as a reliable wicketkeeper for the Indian squad.
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