Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer believes that if Lokesh Rahul is successful in leading the team to the title for the first time, then his place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup will be confirmed. Rahul is out of wicketkeeping in the IPL as he is recovering from a muscle strain. Since the selection in India's T20 team has not been decided, he will have to perform better in batting and wicket-keeping behind the stumps in IPL. As to how the balance will be struck between the captain's personal expectations and the interests of the team, Langer said it is not difficult. If the team performs well everyone gets a reward. If Rahul makes Lucknow the champion, it means that apart from good captaincy, he has also done good batting and wicketkeeping.
Apart from Rahul, Lucknow Super Giants leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi is also in the race for selection. Langer said that both Lokesh and Bishnoi have clearly indicated that if they focus on playing well for the Lucknow team, their chances of getting a place in the T20 World Cup squad will increase. I am sad that Gambhir has joined Kolkata but he truly deserves KKR. We are good friends. I also have good friendship with Ponting, Stephen Fleming and Mike Hussey.