The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee on Saturday (November 4) reportedly picked wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul as Team India’s vice-captain for the remainder of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The BCCI was forced to make the changes after star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023 due to an ankle injury on Saturday.
Hardik missed India’s three games against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and England after suffering an ankle injury against Bangladesh. Since the star all-rounder won’t be able to return to CWC 2023 action, India’s senior selection committee handed KL Rahul the duty to be Rohit Sharma’s deputy.
A BCCI official told The Indian Express: “The BCCI has appointed KL Rahul as the vice-captain of the Indian team for the remainder of the World Cup. He was informed about it on Saturday morning by chairman of selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, who is traveling with the team.”
Notably, Rahul has so far been attending the bowlers meetings as a specialist wicketkeeper, but after being named India’s vice-captain, he will now be attending all team meetings. He will also be consulted by the Indian cricket team management on all key decisions.
It is being said that the selection committee chose Rahul for the vice captaincy over Jasprit Bumrah because of him being a wicketkeeper, due to which he can have a better understanding of what is happening during the course of the game.
India will next face South Africa on Sunday (November 5).
(With The Indian Express Inputs)
