KL Rahul to be awarded for his batting exploits in IPL 2025, set to make T20I comeback in this series in lead up to 2026 World Cup

KL Rahul is reportedly expected to make a return to India's T20I set up following his batting heroics for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

KL Rahul to be considered in India's T20I series against Bangladesh?

As per a Times of India report, KL Rahul might be considered for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. As the selection process for the Indian team's tour of Bangladesh in August starts, which includes a series of three ODIs and as many T20Is, there is a strong likelihood that KL Rahul's name will be under consideration for the T20I squad. It has been approximately two and a half years since Rahul last represented India in the shortest format of the game, with his T20I cap count currently standing at 72.

However, reports were doing round that BCCI might not send players to the neighbouring nation following due to recent tensions between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Rahul's most recent T20I appearance for India dates back to November 10 in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup against England. Opening the innings alongside captain Rohit Sharma, he was dismissed by Chris Woakes after scoring a mere five runs off five deliveries. This dismissal contributed to India's disappointing performance, ultimately resulting in a crushing 10-wicket defeat and their exit from the tournament.

Throughout that T20 World Cup campaign, Rahul's form had been a cause for concern. He managed to accumulate only 128 runs across six matches, maintaining an average of 21.33 and a strike rate of 120.75. These underwhelming statistics had led many to believe that the selectors needed to explore alternative options beyond Rahul for India's T20 International plans moving forward.

Despite his recent absence from the T20I set up, KL Rahul's performances over the past six months have presented a compelling case for his inclusion in the national side once again. His displays have undoubtedly provided the Indian selection committee, often referred to as the "five wise men," with ample reason to consider his return to the T20 International fold.

KL Rahul's cracking 112 in DC's losing cause against GT

Rahul proved his batting might once in the IPL 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans. He crafted an unbeaten 112 runs from just 65 deliveries, adorned with 14 boundaries and four towering sixes. However, Rahul's stellar performance was somewhat overshadowed by the explosive batting of Sai Sudharshan and Shubman Gill, who unleashed a barrage of runs against a less-than-impressive Delhi Capitals bowling attack. Consequently, even though Rahul's brilliant century propelled DC to a total of 199 for three in their allotted 20 overs, it didn't quite take center stage in the narrative of the match. Nevertheless, his consistent and exceptional form throughout the IPL 2025 season has been undeniable.

During his scintillating innings, KL Rahul achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing the speed of renowned batsmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in reaching 8,000 runs in T20 cricket. He accomplished this feat in a mere 224 innings, across 237 matches played.

His performance in the ongoing IPL 2025 has been nothing short of impressive. In the eleven matches he has featured in so far, the 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has amassed 493 runs from just 333 deliveries. This includes three half-centuries and a magnificent hundred, all achieved at a healthy strike rate of 148.04.

More significantly, if Rahul maintains this exceptional level of batting, he will undoubtedly be a strong contender for a place in the Indian squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February-March of the following year. At the beginning of the current IPL season, Rahul demonstrated his adaptability by batting at the No. 4 position, prioritizing the team's needs. However, he returned to his familiar opening slot when the IPL resumed for his franchise on Sunday, following the unavailability of Australian batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk for the remainder of the tournament. Notably, Rahul entered the IPL on the back of a stellar performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy held in the UAE, where he scored 140 runs in 143 balls at an outstanding average of 140 across five matches, contributing significantly to his team's triumph in the tournament.