Kl Rahul on BCCI selector radar for the T20 World Cup 2026 road

KL Rahul is back in the national conversation. After an extended absence from India’s T20I setup, the stylish right-hander has emerged as a serious contender for a comeback, thanks to his impressive performances in IPL 2025. According to a Times of India report, Rahul is likely to be considered for India’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh in August — a tour that could be a stepping stone toward the T20 World Cup 2026.

KL Rahul turning heads with brilliance at DC

Batting for Delhi Capitals (DC), Rahul has been in red-hot form. The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batter recently smashed a scintillating 112* off just 65 balls against Gujarat Titans, laced with 14 fours and 4 sixes. Though Delhi ended up on the losing side, Rahul’s innings stood out as a reminder of his pedigree in the shortest format.

In 11 matches this season, Rahul has scored 493 runs off 333 balls at a healthy strike rate of 148.04. With three fifties and a ton, he’s not just scoring runs — he’s doing it with intent, an aspect previously questioned in his T20I career. Rahul also became the fastest Indian to reach 8,000 T20 runs in terms of innings (224), surpassing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the process.

KL Rahul at IPL 2025 (as of May 20)

• Innings: 11
• Runs: 493
• Average: 61.63
• Strike Rate: 148.05

Fascinatingly, that hundred against GT came while opening the innings. However, he might not have a spot in the team as an opener, since both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma are there. India have consistently given Sanju Samson chances, while there are huge cases for the likes of in-form Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan.

Redemption for KL in T20Is?

Rahul last played a T20I in November 2022, during the World Cup semifinal against England, where he managed just 5 runs. His form in that tournament (128 runs at 21.33 average and 120.75 strike rate) ended his debate about a place in India’s T20 plans. However, the resurgence in IPL 2025 — and an excellent ICC Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year — has reopened the door. In fact, Rahul has reinvented himself in the ODIs. T20Is remain the only format where his redemption arc is yet to take a full circle.