'Plays very slow at times' - Aakash Chopra weighs in on KL Rahul's inclusion in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels KL Rahul's "reputation" of not accelerating through his innings is the main reason behind his exclusion from the opening slot's race for the upcoming Asia Cup. Rahul last represented the Indian T20I team in 2022. Chopra's response came to a question posed by one of his viewers.

"Very, very interesting one. Your question is absolutely valid because he is a good player. If you see his IPL numbers, they are outstanding. In the recent past, no player has been a 600-run bank like him. However, a reputation has developed that he plays very slow at times," stated Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels that Rahul's state of mind determines the way he approached his innings in 20-over cricket.

"If something is stopping him, it's his own mindset. Sometimes his legs are shackled, and when the mindset is right, he flies with wings. I feel he has the game. I remember a shot, it was the Indore ground, and he hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six over cover, and I was like 'WOW'. However, then you also get knocks when you feel that he should hit, but he thinks differently," he observed.

According to Chopra, Rahul's chances of securing the opening slot are all but over for the near future, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma being the incumbent openers and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill waiting in the wings.

"He cannot play as an opener because the opening story has ended, unfortunately, for the time being. Sanju Samson is there with Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal is behind them, and I am putting Shubman Gill's name also at the fourth spot. Four people are standing in the line," he noted.

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India are set to kickstart their Asia Cup campaign on September 10. The Men in Blue will face hosts United Arab Emirates. The squad for the 20-over tournament is yet to be named by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.