“KL Rahul must bat at number 4 in the IPL 2024 to secure a spot in the World Cup squad”, says Aakash Chopra.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has stressed the significance of KL Rahul transitioning to the middle order in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to bolster his chances of securing a spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

In a recent YouTube analysis, the cricket pundit said  “KL Rahul might play at number four. To secure a spot in the World Cup, batting at this position is essential for him.”

Despite Rahul’s usual role as an opener for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he currently faces exclusion from the Indian T20I side’s plans. The aftermath of the T20 World Cup 2022 prompted the Indian team to initially move away from players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. However, Rohit and Kohli were reinstated just before the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Given the crowded top order, Chopra argued that Rahul’s optimal route for a T20I comeback lies in securing a position in the middle order,“You could witness either Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, or Prerak Mankad taking on the No. 3 position. They have several choices to handle the work,” he added.

Chopra also delved into LSG’s preparations for the 2024 season, spotlighting their acquisition of Devdutt Padikkal. If Rahul decides to shift down the order, Padikkal could potentially be a suitable fit for the opening spot, enhancing the team’s overall batting lineup, saying “After the fourth position, there are Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, and Krunal Pandya in the lineup. It adds significant depth to the batting. This time, they have built a strong team.