KL Rahul has opted to take a break from cricket following a demanding Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia. As the Indian team gears up for the limited-overs series against England, which begins on January 22 in Kolkata, Rahul has requested to be excluded from the squad for the five T20Is and three ODIs. Despite opting out of the home series, Rahul has confirmed his availability for selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February.
According to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rahul has communicated his desire to skip the England series, citing the physical and mental toll of the recent Test series. However, he remains committed to making himself available for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. The tournament will see India play their group-stage matches in Dubai, with the remainder of the games held in Pakistan.
"KL Rahul has requested a break for the England series, but he will be available for selection for the Champions Trophy," a BCCI source told PTI on Thursday.
RAHUL’S FORM AND THE COMPETITION FOR A SPOT:
Rahul’s performance in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a mixed bag. Despite the struggles of many prominent Indian batters, Rahul was among the few who contributed significantly with the bat. He finished as India’s third-highest run-scorer, amassing 276 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.66. His solid performances in the early part of the series, including a disciplined display in the Perth Test, earned him a promotion to the top of the order after Rohit Sharma was unavailable. However, his form dipped in the latter stages, coinciding with India’s loss of the final two Tests, which handed Australia a 1-3 series win.
PANT AND SAMSON PUSH FOR CHAMPIONS TROPHY SELECTION:
With Rishabh Pant’s return to the limited-overs squad and Sanju Samson’s impressive T20I form, Rahul now faces stiff competition for the wicketkeeper-batter slot in the Champions Trophy squad. Pant, though not yet in peak form, was preferred over Rahul in the last ODI series against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Samson has made a strong case with his explosive performances in T20Is, further intensifying the battle for the second wicketkeeper spot in the team.
In addition to his international commitments, Rahul had also requested a break from Karnataka’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures, including their upcoming quarterfinal match. It remains uncertain whether he will return for Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy campaign, as head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for Indian players, especially in light of India’s series defeat in Australia.
As India prepares for the Champions Trophy, Rahul’s decision to take a break and the fierce competition for spots in the limited-overs team are expected to shape the selection decisions moving forward.
