The latest roster for the Indian cricket team’s T20I series against Afghanistan, unveiled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has set the stage for speculation and discussion about the career trajectories of several key players. The big news making the rounds is the return of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, signalling a clear nod towards their participation in the plans for the 2024 T20 World Cup set to unfold in West Indies and the USA come June. However, it’s the absence of a notable name that has tongues wagging: KL Rahul, who seems to have slipped down the pecking order for the pinnacle event in T20 cricket.
With the T20 World Cup less than half a year away, the Afghanistan series appears to be India’s final preparation in the shorter format before a period dominated by Test cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). This leaves Rahul at a crossroads, particularly in the wake of his less-than-impressive performance in the previous year’s T20 World Cup and the subsequent intense scrutiny he received on social media platforms.
In a recent shift in demeanor and willingness, Rahul has expressed his readiness to undertake any challenge or role that the Indian team might require. Hitherto an opening batsman for India in T20I cricket, Rahul has taken up the opener’s slot in 52 of his 68 T20I innings. Not often seen behind the stumps in this format, Rahul has donned the gloves just eight times in T20Is.
However, there’s been a gradual, yet significant, shift in his approach and utility to the team. From being a top-order regular in Tests and ODIs, Rahul has morphed into a middle-order batsman who also fulfills wicketkeeping duties in these respective formats. The 31-year-old batsman has repeatedly emphasized his flexibility and willingness to adapt to whatever the team requires of him.
This adaptability came to the fore ahead of the Test series against South Africa, where Rahul openly expressed his willingness to take on the middle-order wicketkeeper’s role in Test matches. A similar openness was displayed for the T20Is. He mentioned the need to stay flexible and perform at any position to best serve the team’s interests. Post the Cape Town Test series, Rahul reaffirmed his commitment, noting that he informed the team management of his readiness to play in any position within the playing XI.
The chatter concerning Rahul’s role is not without reason. The T20 World Cup 2022 proved to be a tough campaign where both Rahul and Rohit struggled for runs. Rahul’s output of 128 runs over 6 matches at an average of 21.33, coupled with a stagnant start—highlighted by 21 dot balls in 26 deliveries faced during the competition’s first over—illuminated his challenges with the bat. While Rohit’s performance too reflected a slump, it is Rahul’s path ahead that appears less certain.
In line with his transformed role and expressed versatility, Rahul might eye a spot in the middle order for T20Is, possibly even adapting his gameplay for his IPL franchise, the Lucknow Super Giants. Yet, the road back to the Indian T20I squad is laden with rivalry from players such as Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson, both of whom have been named for the upcoming series against Afghanistan.
The performance in the upcoming IPL season is poised to be a critical determinant for Rahul’s fate in the shortest format. The lucrative cricket league will undoubtedly hold significant influence in shaping the final squad for the World Cup in June. Rahul’s past performances have often worked in his favor; if he can rise to the occasion once more, there might still be a chance for a glorious return to the international T20 stage. The onus is on him to translate his flexibility and willingness into performances that can swing the selectors’ decisions and pave the way for another stint at the T20 World Cup for this adaptable cricketer.
