KL Rahul faces fresh scrutiny over wicketkeeper-batter role as Srikkanth questions team management

India’s wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul faced fresh scrutiny on Friday after Krishnamachari Srikkanth publicly questioned why Sanju Samson was allowed to bat at No. 4 but not Rahul.

What happened?

On 17 July 2026, Srikkanth, a former India captain, tore into Team India’s management over the handling of wicketkeeper-batters in a social media post. The outburst followed reports that Samson had been tried at No. 4 in a recent training camp, a slot Rahul has occupied in the past. Srikkanth’s post read: *“If Kishan can bat at No. 4, why not Rahul?”*-a reference to Ishan Kishan’s brief stint at the position during India’s tour of Australia in 2023.

The debate flared as India prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in October 2026. Rahul, who has batted at various positions from opener to middle order, has been in and out of the side due to form and fitness concerns. Samson’s experiment at No. 4 has reignited questions over Rahul’s role in the team’s middle order.

Why it matters for KL Rahul

Rahul’s spot in the XI has been under pressure since his return from injury in March 2026. He has played only two T20Is this year, both as a finisher, and averaged just 22.50 with a strike rate of 138.10. His exclusion from the recent white-ball camp in Bengaluru raised eyebrows, especially after Samson’s inclusion in the same squad.

Srikkanth’s criticism highlights a growing divide over how India deploy their wicketkeeper-batters. Samson, 29, has been in sublime form in the IPL 2026, while Rahul, 30, has struggled to replicate his 2022-23 consistency. The No. 4 debate isn’t new-Rahul has batted there in ODIs and T20Is-but his struggles in the role have made selectors hesitant.

What comes next?

India’s selectors will meet on 22 July 2026 to finalize the squad for the T20 World Cup. Rahul’s future hinges on whether he can prove his fitness and form in the upcoming DY Patil T20 Cup starting 28 July. If he’s not selected, it could signal the end of his white-ball career at 30.

Srikkanth’s intervention adds pressure on Rohit Sharma, the captain, and Rahul Dravid, the coach, to justify their choices. The team management has stayed silent so far, but the clock is ticking ahead of the marquee event.

And the timing couldn’t be worse for Rahul. His last T20I century came in September 2023. Since then, he’s managed just one fifty in 12 innings-a worrying trend as India chase their third T20 World Cup title.