The battle for spots in India’s T20I set-up is heating up with the Asia Cup T20 in September and the next edition of the T20 World Cup only six months away. India are set to announce their squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup on August 19, and former India batter Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the long list of opening and wicket-keeping options. Speaking about the possibility of KL Rahul’s return to the squad, Chopra felt that the general perception of his slow batting may go against the Karnataka batter.
Chopra also stressed that Rahul cannot dream of a comeback in the opening position despite making amends through a prolific IPL 2025 season with the Delhi Capitals.
“If you see his IPL numbers, they are outstanding. In the recent past, no player has been a 600-run bank like him. However, a reputation has developed that he plays very slow at times,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra added that Rahul can often get into streaks and phases where his batting scoring rates may hit a roadblock.
“If something is stopping him, it’s his own mindset. Sometimes his legs are shackled, and when the mindset is right, he flies with wings. I feel he has the game. I remember a shot, it was the Indore ground, and he hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six over cover, and I was like wow. However, then you also get knocks when you feel that he should hit, but he thinks differently,” he observed.
No return as opener
With the likes of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the fray, Chopra said that Rahul could not be considered for the opener’s slot. Ahead of his superb Test series in England, where he had scored over 500 runs for the first time in a Test series, Rahul made amends to his T20 profile with 539 runs in the IPL, including a century and three fifties while predominantly batting in the middle-order role.
“He cannot play as an opener because the opening story has ended, unfortunately, for the time being. Sanju Samson is there with Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal is behind them, and I am putting Shubman Gill’s name also at the fourth spot. Four people are standing in the line,” Chopra added.
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Wicket-keeping competition
With wicket-keeping slots also receiving cut-throat competition, Chopra suggested that Rahul’s chances for an imminent T20I return remains bleak. “Ishan Kishan is saying that he is also there. Everyone wants to open. So there is no place for an opener. You will have to play in the middle order, and there, Jitesh Sharma is one, who has done very well, played an excellent IPL, and made his team win. Sanju Samson is opening at the moment. So a keeper is not required. Dhruv Jurel is also standing behind,” Chopra observed.
Having featured in 72 T20Is and recorded over 2200 runs with two centuries, Rahul made his last appearance for India in the format during the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final defeat against England in Adelaide.
