Is KL Rahul Blocking Musheer Khan, Tilak And Youngsters From Making The Road To India Squad?

KL Rahul has not lived up to expectations (X)

KL Rahul has been a fixture in Indian cricket for nearly a decade, playing match-winning knocks and serving as a key player across all formats. However, in recent years, his once-attacking approach has taken a more conservative turn, raising eyebrows as the sport continues to evolve into a faster, more aggressive game.

Despite his inconsistent performances, KL Rahul remains in the plans of the BCCI selectors, leading to the belief that his continued presence is preventing younger, in-form players such as Musheer Khan and Tilak Varma, from getting their shot in the national team.

Let’s take a closer look at how KL Rahul’s position may be blocking the path for youngsters:

KL Rahul’s Recent Test Performances: A Mixed Bag

In the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, Rahul seems primed to play as a specialist batter, despite a string of underwhelming performances. His recent outing in the Duleep Trophy 2024 for IND A did little to quell concerns about his form.

Rahul scored 94 runs in two innings, managing just one fifty. His first innings saw him labour to 37 off 111 balls, only to throw his wicket after getting his eye in—a pattern that has plagued him recently. In the second innings, he showed better intent, scoring 57 off 121 but once again failed to convert a start into a century.

Rahul’s performance in the March 2024 Test against England saw him score 86 and 22, a reasonable contribution but not enough to cement his place. Before that, his form in the South Africa Test series (Dec 2023 - Jan 2024) was equally inconsistent—he managed a century but still averaged just 37.67 across three innings.

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The glaring inconsistency in Rahul’s Test career over the last two years has raised significant questions about whether it’s time to hand the reins to fresh talent waiting in the wings.

Musheer Khan, for instance, has been knocking on the door with stellar domestic performances, and many argue that keeping Rahul in the middle order is simply delaying the inevitable transition.

KL Rahul’s ODI Form: A Cause for Concern

Rahul’s numbers in ODI cricket are equally troubling. His recent series against Sri Lanka saw him score just 31 runs in two innings at an average of 15.50—a far cry from the kind of output expected from a player of his calibre. Before that, he managed 77 runs in two ODIs against South Africa at a slightly better but still modest average of 38.50.

Given the current depth in Indian cricket, with young players excelling in the domestic circuit and the IPL, Rahul’s middling performances have sparked widespread calls for a change. 

Players like Tilak Varma, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, and Rajat Patidar are just a few examples of young talents who could bring much-needed energy and aggression to India’s batting. But with Rahul holding on to his place, these budding stars remain on the sidelines.

Despite the steady drumbeat of underwhelming performances, Rahul’s place in the Indian team remains seemingly secure—a luxury that younger players are not afforded. With a bevy of talent emerging from the domestic circuit, Rahul’s continued inclusion raises the question of whether he’s simply taking up a spot that could be better utilized.

Time for Transition?

KL Rahul has undoubtedly had his moments of brilliance in international cricket, but as the sport evolves and the demand for aggressive, consistent performances grows, it may be time for the Indian team to move forward with younger talent.

Rahul’s continued selection in the Indian team—despite his inconsistent form—could well be seen as filling someone else's shoes when those shoes could be worn by the next Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni. 

It’s time for the selectors to reassess the balance between experience and emerging talent and decide whether Rahul's position is still justified, or if the time has come to let fresh legs take India forward.

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