Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul has been given clearance by the National Cricket Academy to play the franchise’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign opener. Rahul has been advised against donning the wicketkeeping gloves in the first few games of IPL 2024.
Rahul complained of pain in his right quadriceps during the first Test against England in Hyderabad. He was named in the squad for the last three Tests but failed to regain full fitness and was ruled out of the series.
"The NCA has given him clearance and he will join his mates in Lucknow on Thursday (March 20) before they travel to Jaipur for the opening game against Rajasthan Royals on March 24. It is understood that he has been told to avoid squatting initially and he can don the big gloves in coming days. For first few games, he will only play as pure batter," a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source told PTI.
LSG's overseas recruits Nicholas Pooran and Quinton de Kock are two candidates to keep wickets. Pooran is likely to assume the role as the newly-appointed vice-captain will be a regular in the playing XI.
Keeping wickets crucial for Rahul
However, Rahul would look to return to wicketkeeping duties to prove himself as a wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection.
"Rahul will not be considered for a top three slot in the Indian T20 team considering his previous performances. He can be that keeper-batter at Nos 5 or 6 if he has a decent IPL. But if he plays purely as a batter, you have a far better option in Rinku Singh, apart from Rishabh Pant, who might just stake a claim with some power-packed performances," a BCCI source said.
The 31-year-old has not played a single T20I game since India’s semifinal exit from T20 World Cup 2022 after a loss against Jos Buttler’s England.
LSG’s fixtures in IPL 2024
LSG will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 24. In the initial phase schedule, LSG will play a total of four games. They will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their first home game on March 30. Then they will travel to Bengaluru and lock horns against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 2. Their second home clash will be against Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 7.
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