KL Rahul's batting intent, wicketkeeping skills questioned after DC stumble vs SRH |

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KL Rahul’s batting intent and wicketkeeping skills were questioned by former India batter Aakash Chopra after Delhi Capitals’ heavy loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday, April 21. Rahul scored 37 off 23 balls at a strike-rate of 160.87 as Delhi had to chase down a target of 243 runs at the Uppal.

SRH vs DC, IPL 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

The DC opener started off with some big shots but his innings quickly fizzled away and he was second fiddle during the 86-run stand with Nitish Rana on Tuesday. DC struggled to find momentum in the final two overs of the powerplay, scoring 59 in the first six, with Rahul getting 22 off 13 balls.

With his knock, Rahul’s poor run while chasing 200-plus scores in the IPL continued, as his side has lost 16 out of the 20 games with the DC batter scoring 622 runs during this time frame, at a strike-rate just above 143 and an average of 31.1.

Speaking to JioStar after the match, Chopra asked how many attacking shots were played by Rahul in his innings. The former batter said that if you’re unable to make the powerplay count, then the team is going to lose the game.

“I think the question should be asked. He played 23 balls for those 37 runs he scored. How many attacking shots he actually played in those 23 balls, because, in my humble opinion, if you’re chasing down 240-plus, and if you’re unable to make the power play count, then 99.5 percent you’re going to lose the match.”

“In any case, it’s a mountain to climb, but the intent I felt was missing. Just the whole process of chasing down a total as big as they were chasing. I didn’t feel that they actually gave it all,” said Chopra.

The former India batter wondered if Rahul was carrying an injury and slammed DC for not sending their big-hitters early.

“He may have had an injury. It felt that he was carrying a niggle maybe. But once again, this is the mistake that LSG did the other day, because once you’re chasing that total, you don’t send your infantry and go nuclear, you’re anyway going to lose the game. So did you give your best? Not enough in my opinion,” said Chopra.

‘RAHUL IS A BATTER WHO KEEPS’

Another question that was raised was Rahul’s work with the gloves as he allowed Abhishek Sharma an extra life when he was at 48 and looking to complete his fifty. The DC wicketkeeper failed to collect the ball properly and that allowed Abhishek to reach the landmark.

The SRH opener ended up scoring 135 runs and allowed the home side to reach the mammoth total.

Chopra said that Rahul, despite his India white-ball exploits, is a batter who keeps wickets and not the other way around. The former cricketer said that Rahul’s contribution with the bat sort of gets nullified when he continues to make mistakes as a keeper.

“KL Rahul, yes, he keeps a lot for India in the ODI set-up as well. But, let’s be very honest. He’s a batter who keeps and not the other way around. Most keepers are, are generally keeper first, and then they are the ones who then contribute with the bat.

It can actually happen to anyone, but when it is KL Rahul, you definitely ask that question that how much was it worth because as a keeper if you’re going to miss a few then sometimes it nullifies the contribution you make with the bat,” said Chopra.

DC next play against PBKS in Delhi on Saturday, April 25.

– Ends

Published On:

Apr 22, 2026 03:00 IST

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