Middle-order batter KL Rahul is likely to be rested for the white-ball series of England’s tour of India, which will be a key factor in the selection committee’s decision to pick a squad for the Champions Trophy starting on February 19.
However, it is reported that KL Rahul will be available for the Champions Trophy selection. As per reports, Rahul has asked for a break from the upcoming five-match T20I and three-match ODI series which will begin on January 22.
“He has sought a break for the England series but he will be available for selection for the Champions Trophy,” a BCCI source told PTI on Thursday.
After the completion of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the focus now turns to the white-ball format with the approaching Champions Trophy 2025.
India will play a five-match T20I and ODI series ahead of the 50-over ICC tournament that gets underway on February 19.
Rahul has not played in any T20I since the 2022 World Cup but is very much in the scheme of things in ODIs. He was India’s first choice wicketkeeper in the ODI World Cup 2023.
However, the return of Rishabh Pant will be competition breathing under his neck in the 50-over format from now on.
KL Rahul had earlier sought a break from Karnataka’s matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The knockouts of the domestic tournament are underway and KL Rahul’s side is set to face Baroda on January 11.
Coming back to India, the selectors are reportedly set to meet on Saturday, January 11 to pick a ODI squad for the ICC event.
Other than Rahul, Pant and Sanju Samson are the other options for wk-batter. KL Rahul was one of the few Indian batters to hit some notable contributions in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
He scored 276 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.66 and was the third highest run-scorer from the India team during the five match series. The first match of the T20I series will begin on January 22 at Eden Gardens.
