The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, and while several fresh faces were rewarded for consistent performances, a few notable exclusions raised eyebrows. Among them was veteran batter KL Rahul, who, despite a productive IPL 2025 campaign, failed to find a place in the T20I squad.

Rahul, who turned out for Delhi Capitals in the latest IPL season, amassed 539 runs in 13 innings, including a century and three half-centuries. Yet, the selectors opted to move in a different direction, signaling a clear shift in the team’s T20 blueprint.

So, why did the selectors overlook a player with Rahul’s experience and recent form?