'A New KL This Season' – Pujara Praises Rahul for Seamless LSG to DC Shift

KL Rahul’s transition to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 has been nothing short of seamless. On Tuesday night, he scored a composed 42-ball 57* against his former side, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), guiding DC to a comfortable win and reinforcing his growing stature this season. Despite missing the start of the tournament due to the birth of his child, Rahul has now amassed 323 runs in just seven innings — the highest for DC this season — at an average nearing 65.

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Rahul’s rejuvenated form is a result of shedding the emotional baggage of last season and embracing a fresh start.

“KL has shown great maturity,” Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut. “He’s not dwelling on what happened at LSG. He’s enjoying his batting, staying in the moment, and it shows. This is a different KL Rahul — more composed, more confident, and very clear about his game.”

Rahul’s measured knock against LSG saw him take time early on, reaching 19 off 20 balls by the halfway mark while Abishek Porel accelerated at the other end. Once set, Rahul shifted gears with sixes off spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Aiden Markram before raising his fifty off 40 balls and finishing the game with a six.

Former England opener Nick Knight also noted the difference, suggesting that relinquishing captaincy might be a key factor in Rahul’s resurgence.

“Captaincy can be a burden,” Knight said. “Some players flourish with it, others are freed without it. KL looks relaxed now, playing with freedom, reacting to match situations without that extra weight on his shoulders.”

Pujara Applauds Mukesh, Knight Credits Axar’s Tactics

While Rahul anchored the chase, it was Mukesh Kumar’s brilliant 4 for 33 that set the stage. Pujara was particularly impressed by the seamer’s comeback after a tough powerplay and his skill at the death.

“That yorker to dismiss Marsh was one of the best of the tournament,” Pujara said. “He got a bit of reverse swing going and executed perfectly. He’s always hunting for a wicket — that’s what makes him so valuable.”

Nick Knight also tipped his hat to DC captain Axar Patel, whose tactical decisions played a pivotal role in restricting LSG to just 159.

“Axar had a smart game. Opening the bowling against overseas power-hitters like Marsh and Markram was bold,” Knight noted. “He rotated his bowlers well — pulling Starc early when there wasn’t swing and reintroducing him at the right time paid off. Starc, Kuldeep, and Axar himself were used in key moments to shut LSG out.”

With Rahul thriving, bowlers like Mukesh stepping up, and Axar leading tactically, DC seem to be clicking into gear at just the right time in IPL 2025.

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