While acknowledging that KL Rahul is not India's absolute best wicketkeeper and might miss occasional chances, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra defended him by emphasizing his immense value in bringing team balance.
Chopra highlighted Rahul’s willingness to bat lower down the order and take on keeping duties, which allows India to play more all-rounders.
Chopra’s comment came after India’s first ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday (July 14). In the match, Rahul committed quite a few errors behind the stumps but also plucked a stunner to dismiss Will Jacks.
"It's interesting. You actually gave KL Rahul the gloves when Rishabh Pant got injured. We go towards Rahul whenever something is required. He agreed to become a keeper and bat down the order, as that was Rishabh Pant's number. He said you wouldn't miss Rishabh Pant. His performance was like that," Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
"He bats at difficult numbers. Opening is the most difficult in Tests. To bat down the order in ODIs and then to keep, this is difficult. Is he the best keeper in the country? The answer is no. He is not the best keeper. So, on and off, he is going to miss a few chances. You take it as par for the course," he added.
Chopra highlighted the strategic value of a wicketkeeper-batter by drawing a direct historical comparison between KL Rahul and Rahul Dravid, who kept wickets during the 2026 World Cup and this sacrifice allowed India to balance their playing XI by squeezing in an extra specialist batter.
Chopra explained that for the current team, the objective of keeping with KL Rahul isn't strictly to fit an extra batter but a structural necessity to accommodate crucial pace-bowling all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and extra bowling depth.
"We did that with Rahul Dravid in the 2003 World Cup, as we could play an extra batter. You didn't need to make (KL) Rahul wear the gloves to play an extra batter here, but you need Hardik Pandya and other all-rounders. Therefore, you have got KL Rahul as a keeper. He is not the best in the world as far as keeping is concerned, but the package he comes with, he is the best in the world in what he brings to the table," he remarked.
Aakash Chopra noted that Ishan Kishan is already a designated backup wicketkeeper-batter in squad, and would don the gloves if both him and Rahul feature in the playing XI.
"Ishan Kishan is already a part of this team as a backup. So, if it's required at some stage, assuming you want to play six batters, Ishan Kishan is there. If Ishan plays, he will wear the gloves, or else KL Rahul has done a decent job thus far. So we will have to continue with it," Chopra said.
He advocated for continuing with Rahul as the primary glovesman. "Just bite the bullet because KL Rahul's keeping, Hardik Pandya's batting, and Axar Patel's batting provide the balance you are searching for. So when we look at it from that perspective, it's important," Chopra concluded.
