Tag: Cup

KL Rahul Snubbed from India’s T20 World Cup Squad, Lucknow Super Giants Expresses Support

Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has been left out of India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The selection committee opted for Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as the designated wicketkeeper-batters, leaving no room for Rahul in the team.

Rahul’s exclusion has sparked widespread disappointment among fans and experts alike. The 30-year-old has been in impressive form for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), leading the team to the playoffs in their debut season.

Despite his strong performances, Rahul’s lack of recent international experience may have played a role in his omission. He has not played for India since the Asia Cup in September 2022, where he struggled with form and fitness.

The selection committee has also opted to leave Rahul out of the reserves list, which includes Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan. This decision suggests that the selectors do not believe Rahul is currently in contention for a place in the team.

Following the announcement of the squad, Lucknow Super Giants took to social media to express their support for Rahul. The franchise posted a message stating that Rahul remains their “No.1” despite his exclusion from the Indian team.

Rahul’s omission has raised questions about the selection criteria used by the committee. Some critics argue that his IPL performances should have been given more weight, while others believe that his recent international form justified his exclusion.

Regardless of the reasons for his omission, Rahul’s absence from the T20 World Cup squad is a significant blow to India’s chances of success. He is a proven match-winner and his experience and leadership would have been invaluable in the high-pressure environment of a global tournament.

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow Super Giants, has been delivering consistent performances in the ongoing IPL. With 302 runs in 8 matches, including two half-centuries, he has played a crucial role in his team’s success. As the IPL progresses, Rahul’s focus is not only on leading LSG to victory but also on securing his spot as India’s wicketkeeper in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Recently, Sourav Ganguly, the Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals, shared his insights on Rahul’s performance and offered valuable advice. Ganguly emphasized the importance of playing fearlessly and aggressively in T20 cricket. He advised Rahul to “just go and hit” without worrying about losing wickets.

In the previous encounter between LSG and Chennai Super Kings, Rahul showcased his exceptional batting skills with a brilliant 82 off 53 balls, guiding his team to an eight-wicket victory. However, in their recent clash, Rahul’s innings was cut short at 16 runs off 14 balls.

Despite the setback, Ganguly praised Rahul’s performance against CSK, highlighting his ability to adapt to the situation and play according to the team’s needs. He emphasized the importance of playing freely and without fear in T20 cricket.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, Rahul expressed satisfaction with their commitment to their plans and the bowlers’ execution. He acknowledged that the wicket was slow and offered some grip, which influenced their decision to aim for a score of around 160.

Currently, LSG stands fourth on the points table with five victories in eight matches. As the tournament progresses, Rahul’s leadership and batting prowess will be crucial in determining LSG’s success and his own chances of representing India in the T20 World Cup.