KL Rahul’s sensational form in white-ball cricket has caught the attention of former England star Kevin Pietersen, who believes a T20I recall could be on the cards for the experienced Indian batter, just months away from the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Rahul has been a pillar of consistency for India in ODIs, playing crucial roles in their run to the 2023 World Cup final and their recent Champions Trophy triumph. Yet, despite his domestic success in the shortest format, the 33-year-old hasn’t featured in a T20I for India since the 2022 World Cup semi-final loss to England.
Rahul’s performances in the IPL have been outstanding. He finished as the seventh-highest run-scorer last season with 520 runs for the Lucknow Super Giants and has continued that form this year with a series of strong innings for the Delhi Capitals.
It’s at Delhi where Pietersen, working as a team mentor, has seen Rahul’s evolution up close. Impressed by Rahul’s renewed aggression and consistency, Pietersen believes the right-hander deserves a spot in India’s T20I middle order.
“I’d bat KL at four for India in T20 cricket,” Pietersen said during a post-match press conference after Delhi Capitals’ game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “India have plenty of openers and top-order options, but the way KL is batting now, he’d be my first pick to bat at four and even keep wicket.”
KL Rahul: “I’m back to enjoying my cricket, no more overthinking or playing it safe.”
Rahul has already hit three half-centuries for Delhi this IPL season, including a brilliant unbeaten 93 off just 53 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this month.
Pietersen praised Rahul’s adaptability, noting that the confidence he gained after a strong Champions Trophy campaign—where he was dismissed just once—is clearly visible in his current performances.
“KL has been playing very positively since mid to late last year,” Pietersen added. “We saw him finish games for India, and he nearly won the Champions Trophy final single-handedly.”
Reflecting on Rahul’s journey, Pietersen said: “When you grow up being taught classical batting—elbow up, play in the V—and then have to reinvent yourself in your 30s for the fast-evolving T20 format, it’s a huge challenge. The way KL has embraced that change says a lot about who he is. The positivity he brings to his training, his mindset, and the way he thinks and talks about the game—it’s truly special.”
