The middle-order batter KL Rahul is aiming to use the IPL platform to make his T20I comeback and is also in contention to open the innings in the first test against Australia of the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy if Rohit Sharma skips the test.
However, KL Rahul’s elbow injury during a practice match at WACA raised concerns about his availability for the first game against Australia.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul‘s recent form has been a concern with the batter being dropped from the playing 11 for the final two tests against New Zealand at home. His place in those matches was taken by Sarfaraz Khan.
“My aim is to obviously get back into the T20 team. I’ve always wanted to be an all-format player, and that desire and drive haven’t changed over the years. I want to still play for India in all three formats and have done that for many years,” said KL Rahul.
He added that the IPL offers him an opportunity to revive his T20I aspirations.
“I’ve been out of the T20 team for a while, and I know where I stand as a player and what I need to do to get back. So, I look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform to enjoy my cricket and play the way I want to,” he said.
KL Rahul has been released by the Lucknow Super Giants and will be entering the auction pool after the side’s disappointing finish in the IPL 2024.
He has been successful in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, while the team found a performance dip last year. Reflecting on the seasons, Rahul hinted on external factors may have played a role in a team’s struggles.
“All of us as players want to play with freedom, and everyone would think that the way I batted, I’m enjoying playing that. But like I said, my thought process and motivation have always been team first. It doesn’t matter what I want to do or what my natural game is,” he explained.
“We play a team sport. If I played tennis, it would be different; I could stick to saying, ‘This is my natural game.’ But in a team sport, it’s very different. Each game, you’ll have a different role and responsibility given to you to find a way to deliver for the team,” he added.
KL Rahul’s last test century came in December 2023 against South Africa. Since then, he has managed just two half centuries in nine innings.
