5 reasons why KL Rahul's time is running out in the limited overs side

On 11th June 2016, when a youngster from Karnataka scored a century in his ODI debut for India at Harare, one thought that definitely would have crossed every Indian fans' mind would be that this man is made of something special.

Everyone knew about KL Rahul, the Test cricketer, but after his ODI debut, the wicket-keeper batsman made his presence felt in the team as a versatile batsman who could comfortably adapt to different roles and playing conditions and he soon went on to make his T20 International debut for India.

Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, despite some dominant batting displays for India, he still hasn't been able to cement his place in the limited overs squad owing to untimely injuries.

Here are 5 reasons why KL Rahul's time is running out:

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#1 The bench strength

Dinesh Karthik is the new number four for India

KL Rahul has been tried at different positions in the batting order and was being looked at as a competent number 4, but for his infelicitous injuries which always came at the wrong time. As a result, he had to make way for the likes of Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya and now Dinesh Karthik to fill up the middle order for India.

Pandya has been a revelation and comes with a stunning ability to score rapidly right from ball one. Add to that his tactful wicket-taking skills, and he becomes the perfect all-rounder that India has wanted since long.

Jadhav has pitched in with the bat at crunch moments and has even managed to pick up wickets with his off-spin bowling, providing India with an extra bowling option. With the middle-order looking well balanced, it is unlikely that KL Rahul might get the number 4 spot.

#2 Fitness and injuries

Rahul underwent a surgery on his shoulder in April

KL Rahul suffered a shoulder injury during the first Test against Australia in Pune in late February but played through the series despite the pain, further aggravating his injury. He then underwent a surgery on his shoulder in April which ruled him out of the game for three months. Subsequently, he missed the Indian Premier League and Champions Trophy.

The current Indian team is one of the most well balanced and composed sides in world cricket. Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, the young Indian side has improved tremendously in terms of fitness and the quality of cricket keeps going a notch higher with every game.

With Rahul's injury woes and fitness in question, it looks all the more unlikely that he will find a place in the team anytime soon.

#3 Strong opening pair

The form of both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan has made it all the more difficult for Rahul

KL Rahul has not been able to seal his spot in the limited overs Indian side and has managed just one century and one fifty plus score in both the One Day Internationals and T20Is, since 2016. And because he is one of the better openers in the longest format of the sport, he was given a go at the top of the order in LOIs as well.

However, the form of both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan has made it all the more difficult for him, and Rahane, to displace one of the two.

In the 22 months window between January 2016 and October 2017, Rohit Sharma has scored six centuries and seven fifties at a tremendous strike-rate of 95.56, gathering 1486 runs in 26 ODI innings and Shikhar Dhawan has scored 997 runs since 2016 at a strike-rate of 102.67 in ODI's.

Rohit and Dhawan have been a successful opening pair for India and have individually performed exceptionally well for the team, making it highly doubtful for Rahul to even find a place as an opener.

#4 MS Dhoni as wicket-keeper

Dhoni and Jadhav have performed well even with the bat

With MS Dhoni still in the limited overs side, the wicket-keeping gloves are safe with him as he continues to amaze the world of cricket with his jaw-dropping and lightning-quick stumpings. Since Kedhar Jadhav is already in the team as well, batting in the middle-order, he can come in handy as a backup wicket-keeper for Dhoni as well.

Dhoni and Jadhav have performed well even with the bat, adding depth to the Indian batting and it certainly looks like they are here to stay.

#5 Selectors are looking at the 2019 World Cup

Selectors have decided that Rahul and Rahane would now be considered only for the role of an opening batsman

It was announced earlier by the Indian captain, Virat Kohli that the selectors are keen on building a strong and well-balanced side for the 2019 World Cup and have decided on assigning players with definitive roles. KL Rahul was initially being looked at as a good contender to fill up the fourth spot but could not capitalize on the opportunities coming his way.

Since the selectors have decided that Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane would now be considered only for the role of an opening batsman in order to give the players a clearer mindset on their role in the team, it becomes all the more difficult for the 25-year-old to find himself in the playing eleven of the limited overs squad considering the good run, the current opening pair of Rohit and Dhawan is having.