ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul stands tall against all the criticism

KL Rahul, India’s wicketkeeper-batter, recently addressed the ongoing debate surrounding his batting position, emphasizing his adaptability in the middle order. Rahul played a key role in India’s semi-final victory against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Tuesday, March 4. His unbeaten 42* off 34 balls guided India across the line, securing a four-wicket win and a spot in the final. Since taking up the No. 5 position in 2020, Rahul has been a crucial figure in the middle order, consistently delivering standout performances. He has averaged an impressive 61.52 at this position, making him one of the best in that role, surpassing any other player with a minimum of 20 innings.

KL Rahul did the finishing job remarkably well in India vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final clash

Despite his remarkable success, the debate over his ideal batting position remains a frequent topic, especially when the team experiments with its batting order to accommodate other players. Rahul’s flexibility and consistency in the middle order have made him an invaluable asset to the Indian team. His calm, composed performances under pressure, like in the semi-final, highlight his ability to adapt to various situations and batting roles. As the team gears up for the final, Rahul's contribution in the middle order could prove crucial in ensuring India’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy, India made a tactical adjustment by breaking the sequence of right-handed batters in their lineup. This led to Axar Patel being promoted to No. 5, which in turn pushed KL Rahul down to No. 6. Despite this shift, Rahul embraced the change and focused on refining his abilities as a finisher. His adaptability in the middle order has been evident throughout the tournament, and his key knock of 42* off 34 balls in the semi-final against Australia highlighted his growth in this role.

After India’s victory, Rahul addressed the ongoing debate surrounding his batting position, emphasizing that he remains flexible and ready to contribute wherever the team needs him. While discussions around his ideal spot in the batting order continue, Rahul’s performance at No. 6 showcased his ability to rise to the occasion and finish games effectively. His willingness to adapt and perform in various roles underlines his importance to the team as they prepare for the final of the Champions Trophy 2025.

"Yeah, I do [enjoy batting at the top] - I mean, I won't lie. It's after opening the batting in Australia in Test matches [in the last series] and having to face that attack in Australia. And, you know, red-ball [cricket] is much harder. I opened the batting there and then to come here and bat low seems a bit different, but this is how I've played white-ball cricket in the last four-five years," stated India's wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul in a recent interview. 

"It's since I think 2020 that I've batted at No. 5 and a lot of times people forget that that's where I've been batting. And every time I perform in a series and then there's a break from ODI series, ODI cricket, and then we come back after four or five months there's a question mark again about 'oh well, will he play in the XI, where does he fit' and sometimes I'm sitting there thinking what more can I do. Everywhere that I've been asked to play I've played, and I feel like I have performed my role, whatever's been told to me by Rohit [Sharma]," he added. 

KL Rahul also addressed the ongoing speculation regarding his place in the India playing XI. The 32-year-old emphasized that he understands his role within the team and is always ready to step up wherever required. Rahul recalled that he had batted at No. 6 during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2024, reinforcing his ability to adapt to different batting positions.

In the semi-final against Australia, Rahul came in after Axar Patel’s dismissal with India needing 86 runs off 15 overs. When Virat Kohli (84) fell, the pressure mounted on the Indian side, but Rahul remained calm. Alongside Hardik Pandya, he steered India to victory, taking calculated risks against Australian bowlers Tanveer Sangha, Ben Dwarshuis, and Adam Zampa. Rahul’s intelligent shot selection and composure under pressure ensured India comfortably reached the target, displaying his knack for finishing games. His performance not only highlighted his adaptability but also his importance in the middle order, proving he can deliver when the team needs him the most.