KL Rahul eyes India T20 World Cup return after stellar IPL and Champions Trophy form

KL Rahul is setting his sights on a return to India's T20 World Cup squad for the 2026 tournament after nearly three years away from the format.

The 33-year-old batsman has demonstrated a remarkable resurgence in form, particularly in the 2025 IPL season. Despite his team missing the playoffs, Rahul amassed 539 runs in 13 matches at an impressive strike rate of 149.72, showcasing an evolved and aggressive batting approach.

In addition to his IPL exploits, Rahul has been a pivotal figure in India's ODI setup. He played a crucial role in India's recent Champions Trophy victory, scoring 140 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 97.90, helping to solidify the middle order.

His last appearance in a T20 international was during India's semi-final loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, marking nearly a three-year hiatus from the format.

"KL Rahul eyes a comeback to India's T20 squad for the 2026 World Cup. He reflects on his game after a break from the format."
"While his team, , failed to make the IPL 2025 playoffs, Rahul had a stellar individual campaign. The 33-year-old piled up 539 runs in 13 matches at an impressive strike rate of 149.72 — a clear sign of his evolved approach."
"Rahul has been a mainstay in the ODI side and played a key role in India's recent Champions Trophy triumph, scoring 140 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 97.90, solidifying the middle order."

With his current form and experience, Rahul is positioning himself as a strong contender for India's T20 World Cup squad, aiming to make a significant impact on the international stage once again.

KL Rahul aims to return to India's T20 World Cup squad in 2026 after a strong IPL season where he scored 539 runs at a 149.72 strike rate. He also contributed significantly to India's Champions Trophy win, scoring 140 runs at a 97.90 strike rate, marking a promising comeback.