KL Rahul last played T20Is for India in 2022 T20 World Cup in the semi-final loss to England.
Aakash Chopra, former India cricketer, has talked about KL Rahul’s chances of making his T20I comeback and stated that the batter-keeper has let go of the chances he’s got in the shortest format.
Rahul, who was once a regular fixture in India’s T20I squad, last played in the format in the 2022 T20 World Cup, in the semi-final loss to England. Overall, Rahul has made 2265 runs in 72 T20Is, with a strike rate of 139.12, with two centuries and 22 fifties, and the highest score of 110*.
Chopra further stated that Indian think tanks wouldn't consider him for T20Is. His words come before the New Zealand vs India T20I series begins on October 22.
"There was a time when he had a chance, but he let go of his opportunity. Now someone else has taken that place. I won't say at all that KL Rahul can't bat at that speed. If a guy can score 150 runs off 50-odd balls, he can bat like that when he wishes,” Chopra said in reply to a query on his YouTube channel.
Rahul is an essential part of India's Test and ODI teams, but Chopra stated that the wicketkeeper-batter is unlikely to be in their plans for T20Is.
"However, I don't think the Indian team is going to move toward him now. KL Rahul is a very, very important player in Tests and ODIs. In fact, he has now become the vice-captain in Tests, but I don't feel India would look toward him from a T20I cricket perspective," he added.
On the other hand, KL Rahul has 4288 runs in 70 Tests with 12 centuries and 21 fifties, with the highest score of 199 and an average of 36.64. In 101 ODIs, Rahul has made 3541 runs with 9 centuries and 20 fifties at an average of 51.31, with the highest score of 129*.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra questioned how KL Rahul could get a chance in T20Is. He pointed out that KL Rahul is an opener, and when India can’t make space for someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the XI, how can Rahul be in contention?
"Tell me how KL Rahul would get a chance in T20 cricket and in place of whom. He is not a middle-order batter in T20 cricket. He is an opener, and we are unable to give a chance to Vaibhav Suryavanshi as an opener.
You have Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav. These four people are there, and the entire country is asking why Vaibhav isn't being played and when he will be played. How will KL Rahul play in that? Just think about it. This is not going to happen," Chopra concluded.
According to Aakash Chopra, KL Rahul is growing older each day. He went on to say that there is no place for the Karnataka player in T20Is, especially looking at the T20 World Cup 2028.