India‘s heavy defeat in the third T20I against England has intensified scrutiny over the team’s current combination, with several former cricketers questioning whether the batting unit has the right balance to succeed in challenging overseas conditions. After being bowled out for just 76 while chasing 202 in Nottingham on July 7, the Men in Blue slumped to a 125-run defeat—the biggest loss by margin of runs in India’s T20I history. The disappointing performance has reignited discussions over experienced players, with former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh urging the selectors to bring KL Rahul back into the shortest format ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup.
Former opener explains why KL Rahul deserves another opportunity
India’s batting collapse against England exposed glaring concerns in the middle and top order, as the visitors failed to cope with disciplined pace bowling and extra bounce. The loss also marked India’s fourth consecutive defeat in completed T20Is since lifting the 2026 T20 World Cup, raising concerns about whether the current batting approach is sustainable against quality attacks.
Sharing his views on Instagram, former India opener Ramesh said the team management should seriously consider bringing Rahul back into the T20I setup. According to him, India need experienced batters who can absorb pressure, negotiate high-quality fast bowling, and rescue the innings when conditions become difficult.
“The next T20 World Cup will be on potentially challenging pitches in Australia and New Zealand. Considering that, it is paramount India add a batter capable of handling high-quality fast bowlers. Thinking in that direction, the first name that automatically comes to mind is KL Rahul. He responded to the criticisms around his strike rate with his performance in this IPL. He is also one of only three players to have ever scored a 150,” Ramesh said in a video posted on Instagram.
The former opener also warned against relying solely on aggressive stroke play, saying that every batter cannot afford to attack from the very first ball regardless of match conditions.
“India need batters capable of playing guys like Archer in Australian conditions and also ones that can handle crisis. Just slogging and aiming for only 6s and 4s will result in more such 70 and 80 all-outs. That is why batters like KL Rahul must be considered,” he added.
Why Rahul could be India’s trump card for the 2028 T20 World Cup?
Although Rahul has not represented India in T20Is since the team’s 10-wicket defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, his overall record remains impressive. The right-handed batter has scored consistently in the format, averaging close to 38 with a strike rate of 139.12 across 72 T20I appearances. Ramesh believes Rahul’s experience could become invaluable at the 2028 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Both countries are known for offering extra pace and bounce, conditions that often test batters’ technique against quality fast bowling.
Rahul has built a reputation for playing pace effectively and adapting his game across formats. His performances in recent franchise cricket also showed a more aggressive intent, addressing long-standing criticism surrounding his strike rate. With India searching for greater stability after a string of disappointing T20I results, his ability to combine composure with calculated aggression could provide the balance the batting lineup currently lacks.
