Why KL Rahul Wasn’t Picked For Afghanistan T20Is, Where is KL Rahul, IND vs AFG T20I Series, KL Rahul Exclusion from IND vs AFG T20I Series, KL Rahul not Picked For Afghanistan

KL Rahul did not make the cut for India’s T20I series against Afghanistan. The BCCI preferred Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma for the wicket-keeping positions.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially confirmed India’s roster for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Afghanistan.

Seeing Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Sanju Samson in the squad, many supporters were shocked, but others were left wondering about the lack of wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul.

The Karnataka player was unable to get a spot in the team as an opener or middle-order batsman, positions he has dominated in ODIs and Tests, because the selection committee chose other choices.

Rahul was one of India’s best performers during the tour of South Africa, scoring a century on the difficult Centurion ground. However, the selection committee, directed by Ajit Agarkar, was unable to place him in the shortest format team for the Afghanistan assignment.

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Why KL Rahul Wasn’t Picked For Afghanistan T20Is?

According to a report, Rahul was not selected for the three-match T20I series as the selectors preferred alternative possibilities for the opening and middle-order positions. Rahul has spent the most of his T20 International games as an opener, but the rise of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal has made the competition for the two opening places more intense.

With Kohli and Rohit already in the squad, there was no room at the top of the batting order.

When it comes to wicketkeepers, the selectors believe that Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson are better suited as finishers. Rahul, on the other hand, is yet to play this role in T20Is  for the upcoming IPL, however, it will help Rahul establish himself as a specialist finisher who saves wickets and play good cricket.

There is also little clarity behind Ishan Kishan’s absence. The wicketkeeper batsman requested to be excused from the Test series against South Africa owing to a ‘personal problem’. It is unclear what prompted his withdrawal or when he will be accessible again.