India’s Test and ODI wicketkeeper KL Rahul was dropped from the squad for IND vs AFG T20Is, prompting ex-cricketer Aakash Chopra to raise his eyebrows. The series marks the beginning of the Men in Blue’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024 and the selection could very well set the tone of the side for the shortest format, going forward.
IND vs AFG: Chopra highlights lack of clarity on KL Rahul’s exclusion
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted the lack of clarity on why KL Rahul was excluded from the squad. Noting that there was no vacancy for the role of an opener, the former cricketer said that India could have played Rahul in the middle, citing what they did with him in the ODIs.
“Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were India’s top 3 in the T20 World Cup 2022. Of these, KL Rahul has not been included. Or he has been dropped. There is no clarity on what has happened. But he’s not there. There can be a discussion on that too. Rahul’s numbers in T20 cricket, his strike rate is over 135, which is not bad. Even if the opener’s role is unavailable, you can play him in the middle like how it is for ODIs. You did it for Tests too,” Chopra said.
The keeper-batter has 2265 runs to his name from 72 T20Is, averaging 37.75. It is pertinent to note that it has been a little over a year since Rahul has played a T20I now. His last T20 appearance for the Men in Blue was against Australia at the T20 World Cup in November 2022 at Adelaide.
