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"2026 T20 World Cup On My Mind" KL Rahul Eyes Comeback After Breakout IPL Season

Akshita Patel

KL Rahul aims for T20 World Cup [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @clutchgod018/X.com]KL Rahul aims for T20 World Cup [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @clutchgod018/X.com]

KL Rahul is in the limelight once again after an explosive IPL 2025 season with Delhi Capitals. Even though DC didn’t reach the playoffs, Rahul entertained everyone with his performance, amassing 539 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 149.72, and now he has his sights set on returning to the national T20 team.

Rahul left LSG after a disappointing season last year and was picked up by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He delivered with the bat, scoring 539 runs, with a century and 3 fifties.

Though Delhi couldn’t advance into the playoffs, Rahul proved his value as a T20 player again. This confidence has pushed him to aspire for bigger things.

KL Rahul Wants To Return To India’s T20 Side

After a standout IPL 2025 season, KL Rahul is now targeting a bigger aspiration, an eventual return to the Indian T20 set-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February next year. 

Rahul hasn’t played a T20 International since November 2022, but his current form might open the door for a return. Speaking to Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports, he said:

“Yes, I want to get back in the T20 team and the World Cup is in my mind, but for now it’s just trying to enjoy how I’m playing right now."

Interestingly, Rahul was once criticised for his slow strike rate in T20s. He had even said before that “strike rate is very, very overrated.” But now, he admits that the T20 game has changed.

“There was a time probably 12 or 15 months ago where I realised the game is getting faster… the team that hits more boundaries is winning more often.”

Rahul Credits Abhishek Nayar For Transformation In T20 Format

DC star KL Rahul has shown great growth and maturity over the past year, both as a player and a person. He has been out of India’s T20 team for some time and used his time out to reflect and improve his game. Working closely with coach Abhishek Nayar helped him evolve his mindset and batting style. 

“Abhishek Nayar is one of the guys I’ve worked with in the last 12 months quite a lot. He’s come into the Indian team as a batting coach [but has been removed since], so I spent a lot of time with him, and he really helped in helping me change my thinking and helping me work on my game," Rahul added.

KL He now plays a more aggressive brand of cricket, which satisfies the requirements of the modern T20 landscape. Rahul also learnt not to take the criticism personally and that it is part of the game. Inevitably, his IPL 2025 form has once again rekindled hopes of a return to the T20 World Cup side.