IND vs SA: KL Rahul is keen on wicketkeeping, says India coach Rahul Dravid

India coach Rahul Dravid says KL Rahul has a huge opportunity to cement his place in the Test side and believes the player is keen to showcase his wicketkeeping prowess in the series.

KL Rahul is certain to play in the first Test between India and South Africa which starts on Tuesday (December 26) in Centurion.

After taking up the custodian duties in the white ball format, now KL Rahul is set to emulate the role in Red Ball cricket. With the injury to Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan's break, it is a huge chance for Rahul to make a positive impact in the Test format for India as a wicketkeeper.

And the Indian coach Rahul Dravid believes his fellow Kannadiga is cherishing the opportunity. Speaking ahead of the first Test, Dravid talked about the confidence of KL Rahul as a keeper and how the player is transitioning himself.

"I see it as an exciting challenge and an opportunity for him to certainly do something different. With Ishan not being available, the opportunity came up. We have a couple of keepers we can choose from. Rahul is certainly one. We have had this discussion with him, we've discussed this with him.

"You know, he is very confident, he is very keen on giving it a go. We do understand that it's probably something he has not done as often. He has been doing it regularly in 50-over cricket. So that's certainly tough, you know, to play 50 overs and then bat as well in a full day. That can take a lot out of your body," Dravid was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Rahul led the Indian team in the ODI series and will be oozing with confidence after a stellar victory there. The Indian coach also added how Rahul has improved his wicketkeeping skills over the last few months.

"So he has prepared well, I must say, over the last five, six months. He has done a lot of keeping, even though it's in the white-ball format. But this will be a new and exciting challenge for him as well. I guess one of the things here is that if anything there is not going to be that much of spin bowling. Probably more pace bowling here than there is spin, so it will ease him into that role a little bit if anything," Dravid continued.

India are currently on top of the WTC 2023-25 cycle and would be keen to consolidate on that as they prepare for the Proteas test.