IPL 2024: Has KL Rahul Entered The Conversation For A T20 World Cup Spot?

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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul has slowly thrown the hat in the ring for a possible spot in Team India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad with consistent performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Rahul made his return to the field of cricket at the start of IPL 2024 after missing action for the whole of February and start of March due to right quadricep issue which he picked up during India's defeat in the first Test against England earlier this year.

The 32-year-old, who played the season opener against Rajasthan Royals (RR), came on as an impact substitute in the next match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), as the LSG management was keen on "easing him back" from injury.

The wicketkeeper-batter had struggled to put runs on the board, as he averaged 34 with 204 runs in six matches. His form raised concerns over his selection for the marquee event.

With just under 10 days left for the preliminary squads to be announced for the show-piece tournament, the wicketkeeper-batter has definitely entered the conversation after a match-winning knock for LSG against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Rahul scored a fiery 82 off 53 balls as LSG defeated CSK by 8 wickets, chasing down 177 in 19 overs at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday (April 19). This has led to many experts backing Rahul to earn a spot in the World Cup squad.

Former Mumbai Indians star pacer Mitchell McClenaghan believes Rahul has always been a contender for a spot in India's 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies.

"Well, I think KL has always been a contender; it is just how well he performs in the IPL leading up to the competition. This is a very significant performance. I think his spirit will be high," the former New Zealand pacer said on ESPNcricinfo.

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody also believes that with his blitzkrieg, the LSG skipper, who recently turned 32, has put his name on the table for a spot in the team.

"There is a cue in that particular department that the top-order batter but keeper also. He has certainly put his name on the table," Moody said.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa, who thought the ship had sailed for his former Karnataka teammate, also feels Rahul can play himself into the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.

"Over the last couple of weeks, I was thinking, I don't think he's going to figure in the World Cup squad, but if he continues to bat the way he is batting now he'll find himself a spot," Uthappa said on JioCinema.

"Whether it's as a reserve opener and wicketkeeper, that's a dual role he can fulfil. He just makes batting look so beautiful. He's one of those guys who makes it for a viewer, a delightful experience to watch cricket, an easy experience, and just all the other shots that he plays."

Will KL Rahul find a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad?

A lot of questions were raised when Rahul was picked for the ODI World Cup last year as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, but he proved the critics wrong with exceptional play both with the bat and behind the stumps with the gloves.

However, his selection in the squad for the T20 World Cup can only be as a backup keeper or a middle order batter with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson more deserving of taking over the gloves for the show-piece tournament.

Rahul, who plays as an opener for LSG in the IPL, is unlikely to be picked as an opener with skipper Rohit Sharma set to possibly start the innings alongside Virat Kohli, while Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal could be the back up options for top three in the batting order.

If selected, Samson could also fill in at the number three spot, while Pant could also play there or at number 5. Suryakumar Yadav is likley to bat at number four with Rinku Singh coming in at number 5 or 6 depending on the game situation and possibly shuffling the spot with all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.

So, that leaves only a backup option slot vacant for Rahul to bat at number 4 or 5 if there is injury or fitness worry for the regular starters. The 32-year-old will definitely be in the mix for a spot at least to make the 15-member squad or the travelling reserves.