KL Rahul denied rest as BCCI orders him to play England series
Published - 11 Jan 2025, 10:20 AM | Updated - 11 Jan 2025, 10:28 AM
Team India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has been asked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play in the three-match ODI series against England in February. Notably, KL Rahul was initially set to rest until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Dubai.
India is going to be seen in action against England at home, including five T20Is and three ODIs, starting on January 22. However, the squads for these matches are yet to be announced. The ODI series is important for India as it is their last opportunity to fine-tune preparations for the Champions Trophy.
Following the ODI series against England, India does not have any further ODI matches scheduled before the Champions Trophy. Notably, the squad for the England series is expected to feature players who are strong contenders for selection in the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
BCCI Requests KL Rahul to Play in England ODI Series
According to The Times of India, the BCCI has requested KL Rahul to play in the three-match ODI series against England to gain match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Rahul, who plays as a middle-order batter and wicketkeeper in ODIs, was initially set to rest for the entire white-ball series. However, the selectors reconsidered and decided to include him in the ODI squad.
According to The Times of India, the BCCI has requested Rahul to play in the three-match ODI series against England to gain match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy.
KL Rahul, who plays as a middle-order batter and wicketkeeper in ODIs, was initially set to rest for the entire white-ball series. However, the selectors reconsidered and decided to include him in the ODI squad.
KL Rahul Finished as India’s Third-Highest Run-Getter in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Rahul was India’s third-highest run-getter in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored 276 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.66. He opted out of Karnataka's Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches, which began in Vadodara.
According to reports, players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj would be rested for the white-ball series against England. Rahul has not featured in India's T20 side recently, but he remains the top wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs, consistently performing in the middle order.
KL Rahul Has Been India's No. 1 Wicketkeeper-Batter in the ODIs
After Rishabh Pant was sidelined due to a car accident in December 2022, Rahul was given the responsibility of wicketkeeper-batter for the India cricket team. In 2023, Rahul scored 1060 runs from 27 ODIs at a strike rate of 87.74, including two centuries and seven fifties.
In 2024, with India focusing more on T20Is and Tests, both Rahul and Pant played fewer ODIs. Following the England series, India will travel to Dubai for the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19. India will play their matches in Dubai, including knockout matches if they qualify.
