KL Rahul's IPL 2025 show likely to make way for wicketkeeper-batter into India's T20I side against Bangladesh
The last time KL Rahul played for India in a T20I game was against England at the Adelaide Oval in 2022. It was during the T20 World Cup semifinals which India lost by 10 wickets. India are slated to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Bangladesh in August.
KL Rahul, who last played a T20I for India in 2022, is all set to make a national team return in the shortest format of the game after his impressive run in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Capitals. Although India's white-ball series against Bangladesh is three to four months ahead, Rahul's heroics in IPL 2025 with the bat will put him into consideration when the selectors pick the squad.
One of the most versatile cricketers, Rahul has been thrown into every position in the Indian batting order. Initially an opener, Rahul was pushed to No.4 and 5 spot in the Indian team in ODIs in the last few years.
The right-hander grabbed the opportunities with both hands with brilliant knocks in the ODI World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy as well as in the bilateral series that came his way. IPL 2025, Rahul started in the middle order before being elevated up the order.
His century against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, is a testament of how well Rahul had adapted to every batting position he was pushed into in the past few years.
With Sai Sudharshan (108 not out) and Shubman Gill (93 not out) grabbing all the limelight for Gujarat Titans, Rahul's effort of 112 not out off just 65 balls with 14 fours and four sixes, made a mark ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup which India and Sri Lanka are jointly hosting.
During his maiden IPL ton in Delhi Capitals colours, Rahul also went past Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to score 8,000 T20 runs in the fewest innings (224) compared to his illustrious seniors.
In IPL 2025, Rahul has scored 493 runs in 11 matches with three fifties and a hundred at a strike rate of 148.04. More than his batting, Rahul's glovework behind the stumps also grabbed eyeballs.
Which was Rahul's last T20I match for India?
The last time Rahul played for India in a T20I game was on November 10 against England at the Adelaide Oval in 2022. It was during the T20 World Cup semifinals, which India lost by 10 wickets. India are slated to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Bangladesh in August.
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