T20 World Cup 2026: Should KL Rahul be in contention for Indian team?

Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, aged 33, has witnessed a significant renaissance in his cricketing career over the past six months, excelling in Test, One Day Internationals (ODI), and Twenty20 (T20) formats. 

Rahul's form reignited during the Test series in Australia, where he excelled as an opener, a performance that carried through to the Champions Trophy 2025 in the ODI format.

A Renewed Force in T20

More recently, KL Rahul has caught the eye in T20 cricket, performing admirably for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Taking on a middle-order role, the wicketkeeper-batsman has evoked memories of his dynamic batting from IPL seasons between 2016 and 2018.

Speaking on Rahul's recent form, Kevin Pietersen, mentor of the Delhi Capitals, remarked, "I would bat KL at four for India in T20 cricket. India have a wealth of openers—Surya bats at the top, among others—but with KL Rahul's current form, he'd be my top choice to bat at No. 4 and handle wicketkeeping duties."

A Case for T20 World Cup Selection

Pietersen's praise suggests Rahul should be considered for the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. However, this prompts the question: does Rahul's recent performance merit a return to the national team? Since November 2022, he has not graced a T20 international match, amidst a period of change with the retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja.

Tactical Adaptation & Future Prospects

In response to strategic shifts, KL Rahul has adapted his playing style since the IPL 2025 season, moving away from opening and the anchoring roles. His current batting average stands at 60.66 with a strike rate of 146.18, surpassing performances seen in six previous seasons. Rahul's evolution is marked by his strategic adaptation to different match scenarios, especially when pursuing targets—a skill reflected in his growing maturity at 33.

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Does KL Rahul have a place in the future line-up? As cricket experts and fans alike ponder this question, one thing remains clear: KL Rahul’s cricketing journey continues to capture the attention of a nation yearning for new heroes.