IPL 2025: Kevin Pietersen backs KL Rahul to make T20I comeback for India

DC mentor Kevin Pietersen lauds KL Rahul for his brilliant batting in IPL 2025.

Former England captain and Delhi Capitals (DC) mentor Kevin Pietersen has heaped praise on KL Rahul for his marvellous batting show in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Pietersen also wants Indian cricket team to induct Rahul as a permanent batter in the T20Is.

Pietersen’s words arrive after Rahul’s aggressive batting approach in IPL 2025. Rahul, who was earlier criticised for his low batting strike rate in T20Is, has showcased a completely different style this season. The right-handed batsman is the highest run-getter for DC after eight games. He has slammed 364 runs at an amazing average of 60.67 and a batting strike rate of 146.18. He has also hammered three half-centuries for the side.

Team India should induct KL Rahul in T20Is, feels Kevin Pietersen

During a conversation with Cricbuzz, Pietersen backed Rahul for Indian Team in T20Is. Notably, Rahul is almost a permanent member when it comes to longer formats like tests and ODIs. However, he has lost his spot in the shortest format. Pietersen feels Rahul is playing in a very positive manner in IPL 2025. Hence, Team India should consider him for T20Is in the middle-order and wicket keeper.

 “I’d bat KL at four for India in T20 cricket, I think you guys have got plenty of opening batters, you’ve got Surya who bats at the top, you’ve got all of these guys but the way that KL Rahul is playing cricket now, he would be my first choice to bat at four and keep wicket for India,” the former right-handed batsman said.

“KL has been playing in a very positive manner since late last year, mid to late last year. We saw how he finished off a couple of the games for India and almost sealed the deal in the Champions Trophy in Dubai,” the 44-year-old further added.

Notably, Rahul accepted his fault about the batting approach ahead of IPL 2025. He had mentioned that he focused more on taking the game deep and ignoring boundaries and sixes. However, this does not work in T20s, and he would focus on improving that this IPL season. Pietersen praised KL about the same; lauding his positive attitude and efforts in training.

“So the way that he has accepted that he’s needed to change, the way that he has changed is of great, great credit to the person that he is. He is so positive, the way that he practices, the way that he trains, the way he thinks about the game and also the way that he talks about the game. That’s KL,” the DC mentor further said.

Rahul has slammed multiple brilliant knocks for the Capitals in IPL 2025 so far. For instance, he scored the most (41 runs) for the side in their last match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a losing cause. He also scored unbeaten 57 runs against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), 38 against Rajasthan Royals (RR), and unbeaten 93 and 77 against RCB and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) respectively.

With Rahul’s efforts in batting, the Axar Patel & Co. have been a powerful team this season. DC have won six games and lost only three out of nine so far. They take the fourth spot in IPL 2025 points table. Notably, DC won four consecutive games at the start of the tournament.

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