KL Rahul has reportedly opted out of the England series at home to take a break after the Australia tour but remains available for the Champions Trophy.
KL Rahul has decided to take a break from cricket after a challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. According to reports from the PTI, Rahul has informed the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, that he will not be part of the upcoming limited-overs series against England, starting January 22 in Kolkata. The series includes five T20s and three ODIs, crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy, which begins February 19.
However, Rahul will be available for selection for the Champions Trophy. India’s matches in the tournament will be played in Dubai, with the rest of the games in Pakistan.
“He has sought a break for the England series, but he will be available for selection for the Champions Trophy,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
KL Rahul in Race with Pant and Samson for Champions Trophy Spot
Notably, KL Rahul was one of the few Indian batters to impress during the Test series in Australia, scoring 276 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.66. He initially went to Australia as a No. 6 batter but was moved to the top of the order after Rohit Sharma’s absence. However, his form dipped towards the end of the series, mirroring India’s struggles as they lost the last two Tests.
Meanwhile, in the race for a spot in the Champions Trophy, Rahul is competing with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper-batter role. Pant has been preferred recently, while Samson’s impressive T20I form also strengthens his case. Rahul has also opted out of Karnataka’s Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinals and it’s uncertain whether he will feature in the Ranji Trophy.
Last Updated on January 10, 2025
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