KL Rahul Eyes T20 World Cup Return After Strong IPL Comeback

KL Rahul has wrapped up his IPL 2025 campaign with Delhi Capitals, finishing as their top scorer with 539 runs in 13 innings at a much-improved strike rate of 149.72. Although his team missed out on the playoffs, Rahul’s resurgence has reignited hopes of a comeback to India’s T20I squad ahead of the T20 World Cup in February-March next year in India and Sri Lanka. Speaking to Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports, Rahul admitted that the World Cup is on his mind, despite not playing a T20I since November 2022. Known for his consistent run-making but often criticized for his conservative approach, Rahul has addressed that criticism this season by significantly raising his strike rate—he hadn’t crossed 140 in any of the five previous IPL editions. Reflecting on the evolving nature of white-ball cricket, he acknowledged how the game's pace and boundary-hitting emphasis have changed, prompting him to rethink and reshape his game. A key figure in this transformation has been coach Abhishek Nayar, who Rahul credits for helping him mentally and technically reset. The shift in mindset was evident not only in Rahul’s numbers but also in his on-field intent. Notably, he responded with humor and humility to past criticism from Kevin Pietersen, saying he now understands that such remarks are not personal. With five Test matches in England next on his calendar, Rahul remains focused on enjoying his current form while keeping an eye on reclaiming his spot in India’s T20 plans.

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