KL Rahul skips domestic cricket despite warning from Gautam Gambhir, takes a break from the game
KL Rahul has reportedly decided not to play for Karnataka in the knockout stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. While the BCCI has mandated players to play domestic cricket when not representing the national team, the right-handed batsman has opted out of India’s premier 50-over competition.
According to a report in Sportstar, the Karnataka star sought a break citing the need for rest after a grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The five-match Test series ended last week in Sydney. KL Rahul played in all the five Tests against Australia and now he was looking for a better one to recover and recharge.
As a result, Karnataka will go into the knockout stage without one of the biggest names in their squad. India’s out-of-favourite batsman Mayank Agarwal will lead the team in the competition. Although Karnataka will be without KL Rahul, there are several big names in the squad.
The likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidha Krishna will feature for the team in the competition. Both Krishna and Padikkal were also in the Indian squad for the Test series against Australia, however, they played only one Test each. While Padikkal played in the first Test, Krishna got a chance in the last Test of the five-match series.
Meanwhile, Karnataka will also be without their star player V. Vyshak. The fast bowler was excluded from the competition due to injury. Karnataka will face Baroda in the quarter-finals. The match is scheduled for Saturday (January 11) in Vadodara.
KL Rahul deserves praise:
While Team India suffered a 3-1 defeat in Australia, KL Rahul managed to impress many with his batting performance in the series. In the first Test when the Indian team was without its captain Rohit SharmaRahul was promoted to the opening slot of the innings and did not disappoint.
In Test conditions he scored 26 and 77 as India beat Australia by 295 runs in the first series. In the day-night Test, Rahul got the start but couldn’t capitalize on it and went for 37 before scoring just 7 in the second innings.
He scored 84 runs in the first innings of the third Test in Brisbane before scoring an unbeaten 4 in the second innings. In the last two Tests, Rahul was demoted to No. 3 and failed to score big in either of the two games.
We might see him in action the next time Karnataka resumes their Ranji Trophy campaign. While India are scheduled to play a T20I series against England later this month, Rahul is unlikely to be named in the squad. He has not played a T20I since 2022 and is highly unlikely to represent India in the shortest format of the game anytime soon.
Karnataka Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy Knockouts:
Mayank Agarwal (Captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Nikin Jose, KV Aneesh, R. Smaran, KL Shrijith, Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal (Vice-Captain), Hardik Raj, Prasidh Krishna, V. Koushik, Vidyadhar Patil, Abhilash Shetty, Pravin Dubey, Luvnith Sisodia, Yashovardhan Parantap.
