Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel reveals KL Rahul’s batting position ahead of IPL 2026. The captain revealed that the veteran batter would switch to the role he loves the most in the shortest format of the game.
The Delhi Capitals started the season in a remarkable fashion last year but then failed to maintain their good form. One of the reasons was that DC failed to utilise the full potential of their batting order. They could not assign players to the role they were best suited for.
This was evident especially with KL Rahul, who was Delhi’s best bid in the mega auction. The Capitals took a long time to settle for him as an opener, which pushed Rahul back, who loves to open for any franchise in T20S.
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Axar Patel declares KL Rahul as DC’s opener in IPL 2026
The former LSG skipper moved to the Delhi Capitals for a whopping price of 14 crores. Despite several attempts from the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Capitals didn’t part with the Indian batter. This might be due to his immense experience and value at the top of the order.
The skipper Axar Patel has now confirmed in the pre-season press meet that KL Rahul will open the innings throughout the entire season of 2026. The captain made this announcement with head coach Hemang Badani seated beside him.
KL Rahul will open for Delhi Capitals – Axar Patel on DC’s opening struggles pic.twitter.com/nyftZWcybM
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) March 23, 2026
KL Rahul’s batting stats in IPL 2025 for Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals picked KL Rahul as the most experienced batter of the side, however, Rahul was not given the ideal opportunities to bat. He batted in all positions for the Capitals and played in all roles for the franchise.
He played as a middle order where he anchored their innings during the consolidation phase. Sometimes he finished games for them and sometimes he opened, scored big hundreds and had the team a suitable platform to fight for.
Despite the uncertainty of his position he amassed 539 runs across 13 innings, averaging nearly 54 and a strike rate of nearly 150. This showed KL Rahul’s amazing ability to adapt to all roles, which has helped him to thrive in the national squad as well.
Delhi Capitals playing 12 ft. Auqib Nabi
Delhi Capitals will be seen with many changes from their last season as the opening slot will be revamped. KL Rahul is most likely to get a new opening partner in Prithvi Shaw. Abhishek Porel would feature at no. 3 for the Capitals.
Nitish Rana has been brought in to strengthen the attack against spinners in the middle overs. Tristan Stubbs and David Miller follow him in the DC middle order. Skipper Axar Patel would come out in at no. 7.
In the bowling deck, they will have Auqib Dar, Mukesh Kumar, and T Natarajan to choose from, while Kuldeep Yadav features as the lead spinner. Mitchell Starc and Lungi Ngidi can be backed to power their new ball as well as their death bowling.
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