Former England cricketer and Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen believes KL Rahul is the ideal choice for India’s T20I middle order and first-choice wicketkeeper. Rahul has impressed in IPL 2025, scoring 364 runs in eight matches at an average of 60.66 and a strike rate of 146.18.
Previously an opener for India, Rahul has been out of the T20I squad since the 2022 World Cup. With fierce competition among young openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Abhishek Sharma, a middle-order role looks more likely for him.
Although India currently backs Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma in the middle order, selections could still change with the 2026 World Cup preparations yet to fully begin. Pietersen stated that Rahul is well-suited for the No. 4 position, given the improvements he has shown in his game lately.
“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,” Pietersen said during the post-match press conference after DC’s loss to RCB in IPL 2025 (via Cricbuzz).
“KL Rahul Has Been Very Positive Since Last Year”: Kevin Pietersen
After a fallout with LSG in IPL 2024, KL Rahul found a fresh start with Delhi Capitals, regaining form without the pressure of captaincy. Kevin Pietersen praised Rahul’s positive batting and recent success in the middle order.
“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,” Pietersen said.
Pietersen praised KL Rahul for adapting his batting style and mindset to suit the evolving demands of T20 cricket.
“It’s very, very difficult. 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,” Pietersen added.
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