<p>The effects of different strain rates on the evolution of inclusions and microstructure in Ti-Zr deoxidized low-carbon microalloyed steel have been investigated. The results indicated that the strain rate during hot compression had no significant effect on the number density of oxides, but that the MnS precipitated on the oxide surface underwent extension and fracture, leading to changes in the aspect ratio and size distribution. Nitrides retained typical morphologies at lower strain rates; with the strain rate increase, and gradual extension and deformation were initiated until obvious fragmentation and fracture occurred. Sulfides experienced breakage and extension; with the strain rate increase, the deformability of sulfides relative to the matrix improved. As the strain rate ranged from 0.01&#xa0;s⁻¹ to 1.0&#xa0;s⁻¹, the ferrite grain size showed no significant difference. When the strain rate increased to 10.0&#xa0;s⁻¹, the ferrite grain size was obviously refined, and the grain sizes with misorientation angles of 4° and 15° decreased to 2.69&#xa0;<i>μ</i>m and 3.28&#xa0;<i>μ</i>m. Meanwhile, with the strain rate increase, the banded structure gradually intensified. Therefore, considering the microstructure and grain size after hot deformation, a low strain rate can effectively alleviate banded structures while achieving grain refinement and microstructural uniformity.</p>