Indian cricketer KL Rahul has opened up about his current absence from India’s T20I and Test squads, acknowledging the challenges he faces to re-enter the lineup. Rahul, once seen as an all-format player for India, has been notably missing from India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and is currently focusing on his return through the upcoming IPL season.
In a recent interview with Star Sports, Rahul reflected on his position and stated that he knows what is needed to make a comeback in T20 cricket. He sees the next IPL as a critical opportunity to showcase his potential and rebuild his T20I credentials. After three seasons with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rahul was not retained by the franchise, setting his base price at INR 2 crore for the mega auction in Jeddah on November 24-25.
“I’ve been out of the T20 team for some time now,” Rahul shared. “I know where I stand as a player, and I know the steps I need to take to get back. This IPL season will be a big platform for me to focus on my game and enjoy my cricket again, with the main goal of returning to the T20 squad.”
Reflecting on his captaincy stint with LSG, where he scored over 1,200 runs across 38 matches, Rahul said he gave his “best” as skipper. His time with LSG came under scrutiny after a difficult IPL 2024 season, with an especially rough loss to SunRisers Hyderabad that led to a heated conversation between Rahul and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka. LSG’s recent decision to retain Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan raised speculation, especially after Goenka’s statement emphasizing his preference for players with a “team-first” mentality.
KL Rahul’s IPL journey and his performances there will likely play a big role in shaping his future in India’s T20I side. Having played 72 T20Is for India with 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.12, Rahul is determined to leverage his versatility. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has been vocal in his support, pointed out Rahul’s ability to adapt to various positions in the lineup, from opening to middle-order roles, as well as his experience as a wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs.
“KL has the talent to bat in different spots — whether it’s opening, number three, or even down at six,” Gambhir said. “He’s proven his versatility, which is rare, and he could be a strong asset, especially if Rohit Sharma isn’t available for the first Test.”
Rahul is currently preparing in Australia for a five-match series set to start on November 22. With his sights set firmly on a T20I return, he remains hopeful that a strong IPL performance will open doors for a second chance with Team India.
