For many cricketers, a national team snub can be a devastating blow. But for India’s versatile batter KL Rahul, being excluded from the T20 International setup over the past couple of years has proven to be a pivotal moment, a chance to “rethink his game” and set his sights firmly on the T20 World Cup 2026. After a stellar IPL 2025 season and a consistent run in other formats, Rahul has publicly acknowledged the impact of this period away from T20Is on his evolving white-ball approach.
A Game That’s “Getting Ahead”
Rahul last played a T20I for India in the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup, a tournament where his strike rate came under scrutiny. Since then, he’s been out of India’s T20I plans, missing the triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. This absence, while initially challenging, provided him with a crucial window for introspection.
“I obviously had some time to think about my white-ball game,” Rahul stated in a recent interview. He admitted to realizing, around 12 to 15 months ago, that “the game is slightly getting ahead – or rather, it’s changing and becoming much faster.” This candid admission signifies a significant shift in his understanding of the format, a recognition that the emphasis in T20 cricket has increasingly moved towards boundary-hitting and aggressive intent.
Evolving the T20 Game: Prioritizing Boundaries
Rahul’s earlier stance on strike rate, which he once famously termed “overrated,” has clearly evolved. He now acknowledges that “it’s become more about the team that hits more boundaries. They tend to win more games, more often, than teams that – I wouldn’t say are playing smarter – but the teams that don’t hit as many boundaries often find themselves on the losing side.”
This fundamental change in philosophy has been evident in his recent performances. In IPL 2025, playing for Delhi Capitals, Rahul amassed 539 runs in 13 matches at an impressive strike rate close to 150. This marks his best strike rate since the 2018 season and showcases a concerted effort to adapt to the demands of modern T20 cricket, focusing on accelerating the scoring. His strong IPL form, including a century and three half-centuries, has undeniably put him back in contention for T20I selection.
The Role of Reflection and Coaching
The time away from the intense international T20 spotlight has allowed Rahul to not only recognize the shifting dynamics of the game but also to actively work on his shortcomings. He emphasized the importance of this period for “reflection and reassessment.”
He also credited former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar for helping him with this transformation. “I’ve come up with certain things obviously with the help of coaches that I’ve worked with, Abhishek Nayar is one of the guys I’ve worked with quite a lot in the last 12 months. He really helped me change my thinking and helped me work on my game,” Rahul revealed. This collaborative effort underlines the commitment he has shown to refining his craft.
World Cup 2026: A Clear Target
With India set to co-host the T20 World Cup in 2026 with Sri Lanka, Rahul’s aspirations are firmly set on making a comeback to the T20I squad. “Yes, I want to get back into the T20 team and the World Cup is definitely on my mind,” he affirmed.
While he has been a consistent performer and a mainstay in India’s ODI and Test squads – playing a crucial role as the first-choice wicketkeeper in India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year – his focus on T20I redemption is palpable.
Competition and the Road Ahead
Despite his improved T20 game, Rahul faces stiff competition for a spot in India’s T20I setup. With Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson emerging as preferred wicketkeeping options, and other talents like Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel also in the mix, Rahul’s path back to the T20I team will require continued exceptional performances.
The upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh in August, for which he is reportedly in contention, could be a crucial opportunity for him to demonstrate his evolved game on the international stage. As he himself stated, “for now it’s just about trying to enjoy how I’m playing at the moment,” a sentiment that speaks volumes about his renewed focus and determination to contribute significantly to Indian cricket across all formats. His journey serves as a compelling example of how a temporary setback can ignite a deeper commitment to improvement and lead to new avenues of success.
