KL Rahul’s New Role For Delhi Capitals In IPL 2025 Disclosed

In the absence of most overseas players, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are likely to tweak their batting order for the remaining three group-stage encounters of the IPL 2025. They could use KL Rahul as the experienced back-up opener for the Axar Patel-led unit.

The Capitals are currently in the fifth position in the points table with six victories in 11 clashes at a net run rate of +0.362 and can’t afford to lose any game from this position to qualify for the playoffs of the competition.

KL Rahul to open for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025

In the ten group-stage encounters of the season, KL Rahul has opened only once, batted at number three on two occasions, and played the remaining seven games at number four. It’s a position the management gave him before the season got underway.

The wicket-keeper batter had decent returns in the middle order, but the management is keen to shuffle the openers and use the experience of the right-handed batter inside the first six overs of the innings.

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Due to the stoppage of the league for the cross-border situation between India and Pakistan, many players have decided to avoid returning to India. Mitchell Starc has confirmed that unavailability for the season while in the batting order, there are major issues.

Jake Fraser-McGurk has been poor with the bat in the competition, while the injury to Faf du Plessis has nearly ruled him out of the tournament for the remaining game against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and the Punjab Kings.

KL Rahul’s performance in IPL 2025

Rahul has notched up over 5000 runs in the tournament history so far in 133 innings at a strike rate of 135.16. In this ongoing season, the 32-year-old has nailed 381 runs in 10 innings at an average of 47.62 and a strike rate of more than 142, thanks to three half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 93 runs.

In Starc’s absence, Mustafizur Rahman, who comes to the squad as a replacement, will need to take an extra responsibility, while T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, and Mohit Sharma are the Indian bowlers to do the heavy lifting in the bowling department.

KL Rahul has been calm and composed in his process. They were down and out for the loss of quick wickets during the chase against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. But the veteran’s calm nature came to the rescue as he put up a vital stand with Tristan Stubbs to carry them over the line.

Even against the Chennai Super Kings on the slow and low afternoon surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, KL Rahul displayed his class to counter the home bowlers for a great knock.

Delhi Capitals are in a crisis position

Delhi began their campaign in the IPL 2025 in fine tuning as they grabbed four successive victories before dropping their first game of the season against the Mumbai Indians. They held their nerve against the Rajasthan Royals for the super-over victory.

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Things have not gone their way in the last few weeks. Delhi lost their two consecutive games against Bengaluru and the Kolkata Knight Riders before the clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad ended in a no-result due to rain.

KL Rahul’s side was far behind in the previous contest against the Punjab Kings, but the abandoned clash came as an advantage. They will need to find inspiration to turn the tables and convert the last three games into wins to get among the top four.