IND vs ENG: KL Rahul Opts Out of England White-Ball Games, Available For Champions Trophy 2025 Selection - Reports

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KL Rahul is likely to miss the upcoming white-ball games against England as the wicketkeeper-batter has reportedly asked for an extended break following the long tour Down Under, where India faced Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Karnataka batter, who has also opted out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout rounds, has made himself available for next month's Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be staged in hybrid model in Pakistan and UAE.

According to report in PTI, Rahul will be rested for the white-ball series against England beginning in Kolkata on January 22. The home series comprises five T20Is and three ODIs, which will be more significant as it precedes the Champions Trophy, starting February 19.

"He has sought a break for the England series but he will be available for selection for Champions Trophy," a BCCI source told PTI on Thursday (January 9). Rahul featured in all five Tests against Australia.

While the high-profile Indian batting crumbled in the recent Test series in Australia, Rahul was among the few batters who got runs, finishing the third-highest run-getter for India with 276 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.66.

Though ahead in the pecking order especially in the 50-over format, Rahul is fighting for the wicketkeeper-batter's slot in the Champions Trophy squad alongside Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. A report from Times of India, however, states Rahul has been assured of a spot in the Champions Trophy squad.

"Rahul has been assured of his spot in the Champions Trophy. Hence, he will be rested from the England series," an unnamed source was quoted as saying on TOI.

The 32-year-old was the preferred choice during the 2023 ODI World Cup in the absence of Pant, who was out of action due to injuries from a near-fatal car crash. Pant and Rahul are likely to be the two wicketkeepers with Samson being preferred mostly for T20Is.

Team India will play all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. India will open their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 23.