Astrologer’s Bold Claim: KL Rahul to Replace Rishabh Pant in 2026 T20 World Cup Squad!
In a stunning revelation that has set the cricketing world abuzz, astrologer Greenstone Lobo has made a daring prediction: KL Rahul is set to make a triumphant return to India’s T20 squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, potentially replacing the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. Speaking exclusively to TimesofIndia.com, Lobo also spotlighted a host of young talents who could fill the colossal shoes of recently retired legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, painting a promising picture for Indian cricket’s future.
The 2026 T20 World Cup, slated for February to March 2026, will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. As the defending champions—having clinched the title against South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados—India is gearing up for a squad overhaul. With the retirement of stalwarts like Kohli and Sharma, who collectively amassed over 8000 T20I runs, the selectors are on the hunt for the next generation of game-changers.
Lobo, known for his unconventional predictions based on planetary alignments, began by identifying potential replacements for the iconic opening duo. “I see two ‘Grey Lizards’—a term I use for players born between 1999 and 2001 with Pluto positioned between 8 and 14 degrees in their charts—leading the charge. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill are set to form a destructive opening pair. Abhishek, despite missing game time in the previous World Cup, has shown sparks of brilliance in the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Gill’s elegant stroke play for Gujarat Titans makes him a natural fit,” Lobo asserted.
The most eyebrow-raising prediction, however, centers on the middle order. “KL Rahul has been unfairly sidelined in T20s, often sacrificing his spot for others like Rishabh Pant. But Pant’s recent form dips—averaging just 22.50 in his last 10 T20Is—might open the door for Rahul. I’ve championed him since 2019, even through controversies like the infamous ‘coffee incident’ on a chat show. Rahul has silenced critics with consistent IPL performances, scoring over 400 runs in the last three seasons for Lucknow Super Giants. Mark my words, he’ll be back in 2026,” Lobo predicted with conviction.
Lobo also foresaw a robust core for India, highlighting players born between 1992 and 1994, a period he claims saw Pluto and Neptune at their deepest exaltation points, creating ‘legends’. Among them are current T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, all-rounder Axar Patel, and comeback hopeful Shreyas Iyer, who could edge out Shivam Dube with his recent form and leadership credentials in the Asia Cup 2023. “Shreyas has answered critics about his short-ball woes with gritty performances, and his planetary alignment with Chiron makes him a middle-order mainstay,” Lobo added.
The astrologer didn’t shy away from predicting the bowling lineup either. While Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah—both born in 1993—remain non-negotiables, with Bumrah’s record of 74 wickets in 62 T20Is speaking for itself, emerging pacers like Mayank Yadav could provide the ‘shock factor’. “Mayank, born in 2001 under a powerful Uranus exaltation, embodies sudden impact. His raw pace, clocking over 150 kmph in IPL 2024 for Lucknow Super Giants, can stun oppositions if fitness holds,” Lobo noted. Spinners like Kuldeep Yadav also found favor for their consistency and astrological strength.
Looking further ahead, Lobo tipped long-term prospects like Vipraj Nigam as a potential heir to Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round prowess and young batsmen Priyansh Arya and Sheikh Rashid—the latter associated with Chennai Super Kings—as future stars. “Priyansh reminds me of a young Virender Sehwag with his fearless approach, while Sheikh’s classical style and powerful horoscope could take him far,” he mused.
As Indian cricket stands at a transitional crossroads under coach Gautam Gambhir, who guided India to a strong start with series wins in 2024, Lobo’s optimism resonates. “We’ve clinched two recent ICC trophies, including the 2024 T20 World Cup. With this blend of seasoned stars and explosive youngsters, I foresee India lifting at least one, if not two more titles. The stars—both celestial and cricketing—are aligning perfectly,” he concluded.
While astrology may not be everyone’s guide to team selection, Lobo’s predictions have sparked debates among fans. Will KL Rahul indeed stage a comeback at Pant’s expense? Can the young ‘Grey Lizards’ live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the road to 2026 promises to be an exhilarating ride for Indian cricket enthusiasts.