NEW DELHI: KL Rahul‘s aspirations of making it to India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup seem to be fading, as his lackluster performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 season casts doubts on his selection.
Criticisms surrounding Rahul’s strike rate have haunted him since India’s exit in the semi-finals in 2022 T20 World Cup, resulting in his exclusion from the T20 setup.
Despite leading the Lucknow Super Giants with composure and garnering praise for his leadership skills, Rahul’s batting form has been underwhelming in IPL 2024. Accumulating just 126 runs in four matches at a sluggish strike rate of 128.57, his performance has failed to bolster his case for national selection.
Rahul’s challenge is exacerbated by the intense competition for opening slots in the Indian team, with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill vying for positions alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu weighed in on Rahul’s predicament, suggesting a strategic change in his batting position as a potential solution. Rayudu emphasized that moving Rahul down the order to number 3 or 4 could enhance his prospects of making the T20 World Cup squad.
“He still has to get back into form… there are already too many openers who are contending for the spot,” Rayudu remarked during a media interaction.
Furthermore, Rayudu highlighted the benefits of such a move, stating, “Ideally, he should be batting at number 4… that’s what the Indian team needs as well.”
As Rahul grapples with his form and selection prospects, a shift in his batting position could serve as a crucial turning point in his bid to secure a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad.