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KL Rahul has produced another great season for Delhi Capitals (DC) with his individual skills. The versatile batsman, who plays as an opening batsman for DC, scored 593 runs in 14 matches before opting out of the IPL 2026 season.
As a team, DC couldn’t do much, but it was Rahul who was their standout performer in the season. Currently, the star keeper-batsman is ranked fourth in the top run scorer list of IPL 2026. Former Team India batsman Ambati Rayudu mentioned KL Rahul during a discussion panel that ‘he has been brilliant for every team he has played for.’
KL Rahul remains the top performer for Delhi Capitals
In his last match of the season, Rahul scored 60 runs in 30 balls with the help of five fours and four sixes. He was also impeccable against Sunil Narine, who is still considered a mystery spinner. In the eighth over, when Narine came to bowl, Rahul sent him over the long-on cordon at Eden Gardens, then in the following balls, the batsman took a ground route to hit a boundary.
“He was picking her up [Narine] Well, and some of the shots were extraordinary. I think the straight hits he played against Narine were some of the best shots we have seen against Narine in the season so far. I don’t think anyone has picked Narine over KL Rahul,’ Ambati Rayudu said at ESPNcricinfo timeout.
He has been a great batsman for any team: Ambati Rayudu
Rayudu mentioned that Rahul was equally effective not only against Sunil Narine but also against quality fast bowlers like Josh Hazlewood. The former cricketer believes that considering KL Rahul to be the main part of the team, the DC management should bring in some quality cricketers to get better results in the Indian Premier League.
“He looks like he can take on all the big bowlers in the IPL. He has got the job done.” [Josh] Hazelwood; They have taken Naren into their custody. He is a class player and Delhi needs to give him a team that will win him the IPL trophy because he deserves it. Whatever team he played for, he has been a brilliant batsman. So he deserves the trophy and hopefully he gets it soon.”
Rahul also improved his strike rate in IPL 2026
This was Rahul’s second consecutive season with the Delhi-based franchise. Last season, he scored 539 runs in 13 matches at an average of 53.90. The total was supported by one century and three 50s. In 2026, the 34-year-old recorded one century and five half-centuries.
Along with his runs and average, KL Rahul also improved his strike rate, as per the demands of the modern Twenty20 format. Overall, his average strike rate in the Indian Premier League is 139.14. Rahul’s strike in IL 2026 was 174.41, which shows his ability to perform as per the demands of the match conditions and situation.
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