As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season races towards an electrifying climax, Delhi Capitals (DC) are gearing up for a strategic overhaul in their batting lineup. With just three league stage matches left, the team, currently placed fifth with 13 points from 11 matches, is reportedly set to bring back the seasoned campaigner KL Rahul to the opening slot, a position where his elegance and experience could prove decisive.
DC’s journey this season has been a rollercoaster. After a promising start, the team stumbled mid-season, notably suffering a crushing defeat against Mumbai Indians at home. The inconsistent form of young opener Jake Fraser-McGurk and injury concerns for key players have forced the management to shuffle the batting order repeatedly. Rahul, who has batted in multiple positions this season—opening once, at No. 3 twice, and at No. 4 in seven matches—has shown adaptability with decent returns. However, the team now seeks stability at the top during the critical powerplay overs, and Rahul’s proven track record as an opener makes him the ideal candidate.
The upcoming fixtures against Gujarat Titans on Sunday at home, followed by a challenging away game against Mumbai Indians, and the final league clash against Punjab Kings in Jaipur, are do-or-die for DC. With the race to the playoffs heating up—seven teams still in contention—the Axar Patel-led side cannot afford any more slip-ups. A cohesive batting unit, starting with a solid opening pair, will be crucial to their aspirations of making it to the top four.
Beyond the batting conundrum, DC’s bowling unit also faces challenges. As previously reported by TimesofIndia.com, star pacer Mitchell Starc will not return for the remainder of IPL 2025, leaving a significant void. The responsibility now falls on the shoulders of T Natarajan, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohit Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar to spearhead the attack. Their ability to deliver under pressure, especially in the death overs, will be critical against some of the tournament’s most formidable batting lineups.
In conclusion, Delhi Capitals stand at a crossroads in IPL 2025. Repositioning KL Rahul as an opener could be the game-changing decision they desperately need to reignite their campaign. As they prepare to face three tough opponents in their remaining league games, the synergy between bat and ball will determine whether DC can claw their way back into playoff contention. For fans, the hope is that Rahul’s return to the top, coupled with a resilient bowling effort, will script a remarkable turnaround in this thrilling season.