KL_Rahul

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KL Rahul is going to be an integral part of Indian cricket going ahead. In a new era, under the leadership of Rahul Dravid as coach, it looks like the opening batsman has been identified as the man to take the side forward alongside Rohit Sharma.

The 29-year-old led India in four games in the recently-concluded series against South Africa and while he is still growing as a leader, he has already developed the quality of identifying future prospects for the national side.

After being appointed as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul has now revealed the name of uncapped player whom he feels will be part of Indian set-up very soon and he is none other than young leg-spinner - Ravi Bishnoi, who has also been picked up by the franchise for INR 4 crores, as one of the picks in draft alongside Marcus Stoinis.

Talking about Ravi Bishnoi on Backstage with Boria, Rahul said, "He is very exciting. He is young and a wicket-taking option. We have seen in the history of IPL that wrist-spinners have done really really well and this auction again, whoever is available will be hot."

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KL added, "I have played with him. He has a big heart for a youngster who hasn't played for the country or hasn't played too much IPL cricket. He wasn't scared to be in a fight, he wasn't over-awed by the international batters he used to bowl to. He wanted to be in the fight. He wanted to bowl to the likes of Pollard, Russell, Hardik and Rishabh Pant. Whenever they came in, he said, "Bhaiya mujhe ball do, I want to take their wicket. So that's the kind of attitude you like in a player and he is a young guy."

"I know I can see him playing for the country for a long time and also playing for India really soon. It will be good for us to be part of journey for him and support him as much as we can," India's vice-captain concluded.

Gambhir was also full of praise for the youngster

Reflecting on the fact that Lucknow is looking to build a franchise for a long-term perspective, team mentor Gautam Gambhir said, "Ravi Bishnoi from that point of point made a lot of sense as well. He is young, he is a wicket-taking option. And he is going to be a sure-shot guy in the playing XI. He can bowl at different stages of the game as well.

"More importantly, he is an uncapped player so from every sense, it made a lot of logic for us to get him on board so that we can develop him going forward. If anything he keeps his head on his shoulders, he is only going to get better from here on. Among the pool of leg-spinners, he is probably the youngest and most talented," Gambhir added on Backstage with Boria.

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With 24 wickets in 23 IPL games, Ravi Bishnoi is going to be the player to watch out for this season and he would be keen to live up to the expectations of his captain, mentor and owners.