3 Indian Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As India's Opener For ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022

KL Rahul is currently going through a rough patch with the bat after returning from his hamstring injury. 

The 30-year-old was out of action in the last few months and played his first T20I of the year in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Since his return to international cricket from an injury break, the Karnataka batter has managed to score just 70 runs in four matches at an average of 17.5.

Rahul’s poor form has got him criticism from all corners of the country. Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also warned the Indian opener, claiming there are a number of options waiting in the line.

With the T20 World Cup starting in October next month, fans and cricket experts around the country have constantly given their opinions on the number of players who can do a better job at the top of the order.

So, let’s list out three of these cricketers who can replace Rahul as an opener in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. 

3 Indian Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul To Open The Innings In T20 World Cup

1. Virat Kohli

The former Indian captain is the first name that comes to mind who can replace KL Rahul at the top of the order. Kohli, who opened the innings with Rohit Sharma last year against England, is the best man the team can have to open alongside Sharma in the T20 World Cup.

Kohli’s record as an opener in IPL speaks of himself and it gives Suryakumar Yadav the position of number three which he is very good at. Kohli has almost three thousand runs at a strike rate of 134.5 while opening the innings for his IPL franchise.

However, his numbers in the last few seasons have been very poor but his recent form after the break gives him a chance to do better at the top of the order in Australia. The 33-year-old opened eight times for the Indian T20I side and has an average of 42.5 with a strike rate of 143.

2. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is the second name who can replace KL Rahul as an opener for the T20 World Cup.

The young left-hander from Jharkhand opened in almost all the matches for India in T20Is this year.

The 24-year-old has scored 430 runs while opening in T20Is at an average of 30.5 and strike rate of 132.7. Only Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer have scored more runs for India in T20Is this year. Unfortunately, as KL Rahul returned from his injury, Kishan missed out on the Indian squad to play in the ongoing Asia Cup.

But with Rahul not being at his best since returning from his injury, the wicket-keeper batter might get one last chance to prove himself in the upcoming 6 T20Is at home and make his way to the flight to Australia in October.  

1. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has been under the scanner for his place on the Indian T20I side. There has been a constant discussion amongst the fans and experts about the 24-year-old’s place in the Indian playing XI.

His numbers in the Asia Cup really don’t help his case and the management might take a tough call on him for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Although he has been poor in the middle order, Pant can be a very explosive option at the top of the order. His numbers as openers in T20 cricket are extraordinary and many might not know about Pant scoring the second fastest T20 century by 32 balls in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2018 also came while opening for Delhi.

The Indian think tank tried Pant at the top of the order in two matches against England, earlier this year but the southpaw got out early on both occasions. With Rahul being out of form, team India might give Pant another chance at the top of the order to seal his place in the flight to Australia as an opener.