KL Rahul says 2027 World Cup preparations drive his middle-order focus

KL Rahul said his unbeaten 129 in the third ODI against West Indies was preparation for India's 2027 World Cup campaign. Rahul emphasised the need to spend extended time at the crease in the middle order.

The batter noted that batting against an older, reversing ball has become more challenging since the ball-change rule took effect. He has worked on adapting his game to softer conditions where attacking fields are set in the final overs.

Rahul has scored 1,646 runs at number five in ODIs at an average of 68.58. Ravichandran Ashwin said Rahul receives undue criticism for batting slowly and backed him over Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel for the position.