Exclusive: KL Rahul a Strong Contender for T20I Comeback, Says Ex-BCCI Selector

KL Rahul didn't play any T20I match after the ICC T20 World Cup semifinal loss to England in 2022. 

India bounced back to win the trophy last year, but the wicketkeeper-batter didn't get an opportunity to do so. Finally, after cementing his stature as a dependable middle-order batter in the Indian Premier League, the right-hander looks all set to make a comeback in the format.

Rahul has been batting without the pressure of leading a side for Delhi Capitals, and the returns have been handsome. He scored 371 runs in nine matches with three fifties at an average of 53.00. His strike rate also surged from 136.12 in 2024 to 146.06 this season.

Former India international and BCCI selector Devang Gandhi felt Rahul's top T20 form was good news for the national cricket team. 

"He has been performing well in the white-ball format. If you look at the ICC Champions Trophy and even the IPL, he has been finishing games. It augurs well, and India has a good pool of talent. Rahul will become a strong contender to regain his T20I berth," he told SportsBoom.com. 

KL Rahul's electric wicketkeeping

Rahul's wicketkeeping has been a talking point. From being a part-time wicketkeeper at one point, the 33-year-old has improved in leaps and bounds since the ICC World Cup in 2023. He had 17 dismissals under his belt in that tournament, which included 16 catches and a stumping.

Earlier this year, he was the best wicketkeeper in the ICC Champions Trophy with six dismissals, five catches and a stumping in five matches. 

"He has been a safe wicketkeeper. It has never been noticed that he has worked hard on his wicketkeeping. He needs to keep doing that," added Gandhi.

India has a good depth among wicketkeeper-batters. Apart from Rahul, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, there is Jitesh Sharma, Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan, who are breathing down the neck.

Gandhi reasoned that selectors can't replace in-form players for the Indian team. 

"If somebody is doing well, then you can't replace but whoever the contenders are, they have to keep performing. It is always going to be challenging when you have to replace someone, but that's the way it goes basically. My only advice to anybody is to keep scoring runs and picking up wickets. Whenever there is an opportunity, they will be drafted into the team," he said.

Pietersen bats for KL at No. 4 for India

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen, the mentor of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, backed Rahul to become India's No. 4 in the T20 format. 

"I have had incredibly brilliant conversations, deep and meaningful, with him on batting. When you grow up as a youngster like he did, and you get taught defence, elbow up and play in the V and then, suddenly in your 30s you have to become a different player for a format which is evolving. It is quite challenging."

"The way he has accepted the change is of great credit. The way he is playing now, he would be my first choice to bat at No. 4 and keep wickets for India in the T20 format," said Pietersen.

Rahul's unbeaten 34 and 42 in the semifinal and final of the ICC Champions Trophy raised his stakes in white-ball cricket. His next target would be the 500-run mark in the ongoing IPL.