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KL Rahul is reportedly set to be rested for the upcoming limited overs series against England but has been assured that he would be picked for the Champions Trophy 2025.
KL Rahul last played an ODI on August against Sri Lanka. (Picture Credit: AFP)
KL Rahul is reportedly set to be rested from the upcoming white-ball games against England, which is set to begin on January 22 with the five-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series as well.
According to a report by Times of India, Rahul will not be a part of the upcoming limited overs fixtures against England but has been assured by the selectors that he will be picked for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
“Rahul has been assured of his spot in the Champions Trophy. Hence, he will be rested from the England series,” an unnamed source was quoted as saying.
After an optimistic performance at the top of the order in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, Rahul will also opt out of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy games for his state, Karnataka.
Rahul has been India’s go-to wicketkeeper in the 50-over format and had a rather impressive performance in last year’s 50-over World Cup. He finished the tournament with 452 runs at an average of 75.33 in the 11 games. His form in the shortest format, however, remains a concern and as a result was not picked for India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad for the 2024 edition.
It remains to be seen if Rahul will be India’s go-to man for keeping behind the wickets now that Rishabh Pant has made his return to international cricket. The southpaw is yet to make his mark in the 50-over format since his return and this could mean that the selectors favour Rahul for the middle-order and wicketkeeping job for the upcoming ICC event.
The three ODIs against England will be India’s preparations for the Champions Trophy that they will play in the UAE. While Pakistan are the designated hosts, the BCCI and the PCB have come to an agreement where the Indian team would play all their games in a neutral venue, including the knockout games.
India had last won the tournament in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni when they beat England in the final by 5 runs in the rain-affected match that was held in Birmingham in June 2013.
