"Give Me a Short Break": Star Batter KL Rahul Requests Rest from England Series

With the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Team India’s focus has now shifted towards the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19. Ahead of this major tournament, the Indian team is scheduled to play a crucial bilateral series against England at home, consisting of five T20 matches and three ODIs.

Amidst this, it has been reported that star batter KL Rahul, who is expected to be a key player for the Champions Trophy, has requested a break from the England series. According to sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rahul has assured the board that he will be available for selection in the Champions Trophy.

Since the 2022 T20 World Cup, KL Rahul has not featured in any T20 matches for India, though he has played a few ODIs. He also performed exceptionally well in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, with Rishabh Pant making a comeback after recovering from injuries sustained in a road accident, Rahul now faces stiff competition in the ODI format. Given this scenario, his decision to seek rest ahead of the England series has drawn significant attention. The competition among Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson for a place in the Champions Trophy squad has become a hot topic of discussion.

Currently, the knockout matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy are underway, and Karnataka is scheduled to face Baroda in the fourth quarter-final on January 11. Though KL Rahul was expected to represent Karnataka, reports suggest he has requested leave from the state cricket board as well.

Meanwhile, it is reported that selectors will meet on Saturday to finalize squads for both the England series and the Champions Trophy. The competition for spots in the Champions Trophy squad has become increasingly intriguing, with many eager to see who makes the cut.