KL Rahul given no chance for India T20I comeback, denied even back-up spot for Asia Cup 2025
Table of Contents
Former batter Aakash Chopra has made a big claim about KL Rahul's chances for a comeback into the Indian T20I setup for the Asia Cup 2025.
The battle for every spot in the Indian T20I side is on before the Indian selectors announce the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. However, it seems imminent that Shubman Gill will make a comeback, while Suryakumar Yadav will continue as the skipper of the side.
Some players have been confirmed without a squad being announced, since they have been dominant for India in recent times, while some players still await an opportunity on the big stage. But the most interesting set of players are a bunch who long to be back in the side after being dropped due to unconvincing form.
Aakash Chopra blames KL Rahul's reputation for sabotaging his T20I comeback
As the selection race gets intensified ahead of the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has turned his analysis on and has excluded the veteran batter KL Rahul from the long list of opening batters and wicket-keepers who could star for India in the Asia Cup.
He speaks of no possibility of a return for KL Rahul in the Indian T20I side, considering his reputation for batting slowly.
“If you see his IPL numbers, they are outstanding. In the recent past, no player has been a 600-run bank like him. However, a reputation has developed that he plays very slowly at times,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
He further said that KL Rahul is sometimes known to have entered phases where his batting scores are subjected to a huge jolt, which doesn't make him a reliable option.
“If something is stopping him, it’s his own mindset. Sometimes his legs are shackled, and when the mindset is right, he flies with wings."
"I feel he has the game. I remember a shot, it was the Indore ground, and he hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six over cover, and I was like wow. However, then you also get knocks when you feel that he should hit, but he thinks differently,” he observed.
India has a bunch of aggressive openers; Rahul no more fits the list
As Chopra mentions, KL Rahul's return as an opener seems almost impossible with the likes of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma excelling at the top. Their dominance has been such that even the likes of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been kept out of the race for the top 2 spots.
Though KL Rahul also had a stellar IPL season with the Delhi Capitals, where he played in several roles throughout the batting order, scoring a total of 539 runs in the IPL, including a century and three half-centuries.
“He cannot play as an opener because the opening story has ended, unfortunately, for the time being. Sanju Samson is there with Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal is behind them, and I am also putting Shubman Gill’s name at the fourth spot. Four people are standing in the line,” Chopra added.
Rahul's chances as a wicket-keeper diminished with the rise of Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel
After ruling out Rahul's chances as an opener, Aakash Chopra has turned to wicket-keepers, another role where Rahul can feature. He features as India's first-choice wicket-keeper in One-Day internationals.
However, now with the new additions in the list alongside Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, and Dhruv Jurel, who have put in efforts to make their way into the Indian side in Rishabh Pant's absence. In Pant's presence, India already has Sanju Samson and Pant as the two keepers on the side.
“Ishan Kishan is saying that he is also there. Everyone wants to open. So there is no place for an opener. You will have to play in the middle order, and there, Jitesh Sharma is one who has done very well, played an excellent IPL, and made his team win. Sanju Samson is opening at the moment. So a keeper is not required. Dhruv Jurel is also standing behind,” Chopra explained.
ALSO READ: Indian player caught lobbying against Shubman Gill on the brink of Asia Cup squad selection
