Delhi Capitals' Star Eyeing India T20I Return After 3 Years, Says ''World Cup Is In My Mind''

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Delhi Capitals star, KL Rahul is quietly mounting a case for a return to India's T20 setup, nearly three years after his last appearance in the format. The stylish top-order batter last played a T20I in November 2022, during India's crushing semifinal loss to England in the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Since then, India has turned a new leaf in T20 cricket, even winning the 2024 World Cup without Rahul in the squad.

However, with the next T20 World Cup set to be hosted in India in 2026, Rahul has set his sights on reclaiming his place in the national side. And he's doing that the only way he knows - by letting the bat do the talking.

Representing Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, Rahul has been one of the standout performers of the season. With 539 runs to his name at a strike rate of 149.72, the 33-year-old has demonstrated that he can still be a force to reckon with in the shortest format.

In a conversation with Sky Sports, Rahul admitted that the World Cup is very much on his radar. "Yes, I want to get back in the T20 team and the World Cup is in my mind, but for now it's just trying to enjoy how I'm playing right now," he said.

Having amassed over 2200 runs in 72 T20Is, Rahul has never shied away from taking on different responsibilities within the team. Throughout his international career, he's opened the batting, played in the middle order, and even slotted down to No. 7 when required.

According to Rahul, he has always embraced the team-first mentality. "If you have seen how my career has gone, I don't think I really had a choice, or I have never been a player to speak with the selectors and sit with the captain and tell the captain that this is what I want to do," he said. "I just want to be in the team and whatever challenge is thrown at me, I have found that's better for me to adapt to rather than me trying to sit and think about what I need to do."

Rahul explained that having clear instructions from the team leadership helps him prepare for specific roles. "When the role is given to me and the coaches and the captain and the selectors tell me that look this is what we are expecting for you - maybe No.5, maybe No.6, open the batting - yeah, that sort of gives me a clarity and then I work around my game," he added.

With his form peaking at the right time, KL Rahul might just force the selectors to take notice. And with a home World Cup looming, there couldn't be a better moment for the experienced campaigner to make his comeback.