KL Rahul’s intent wasn’t the issue for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. In fact, the veteran batter had the sixth-highest strike rate among all openers with a minimum of 100 runs. He managed to amass 593 runs in 14 matches. No other Delhi batter even crossed 300. Without a doubt, Rahul was the biggest positive in an otherwise lacklustre season.
One can’t forget that even in IPL 2025, Rahul was Delhi’s best batter. It doesn’t make sense to move on from him. But Rishabh Pant‘s return does change the equation. He’ll take over the wicketkeeping responsibility. One can assume that Pant will bat at three or four, the two positions that weren’t locked in IPL 2026.
KL Rahul on the cards?
At this moment, it seems Axar Patel will continue as captain. So, while Pant might be in a leadership role and have a say in the team’s overall direction like Rahul, he won’t be calling the shots. But since Pant’s inclusion has led to Kuldeep Yadav‘s departure, Delhi is in need of a quality spinner.
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Aakash Chopra believes that Pant’s arrival could open the door for DC to slot in an Indian fast bowler or spinner from KKR. Rahul is already 34, and although he might play for 5 more years, one can get someone like Harshit Rana or Varun Chakaravarthy, who can both play for longer, in a trade for him. Like Pant, Harshit also hails from Delhi.
“If KKR say that you can take either Varun Chakaravarthy or Harshit Rana from them and give them KL Rahul, can that happen? Since Kuldeep has left, they would need another spinner. Can they get anyone better than Varun Chakaravarthy? Can they actually let go of Varun Chakaravarthy or Harshit Rana and ask for KL Rahul so that their wicketkeeper, captain, and opener get sorted out with just one guy?” Aakash said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Apart from lacking a spinner, DC don’t have a great Indian pacer either. T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar and Auqib Nabi Dar aren’t the cheapest of buys, but they haven’t shown the ability to lead the charge. Someone like Harshit can solve that problem and possess hitting ability as well.
Why KKR might agree
Of course, KKR will be a bit apprehensive. Varun, with Sunil Narine, forms the greatest spin duo in the IPL. He is KKR’s highest wicket-taker in the 2020s. As for Harshit, although he hasn’t played enough, the 24-year-old has yet to hit his prime. The pacer can play for KKR for the next decade. But Rahul can solve the opener and captain problem for the next IPL cycle, especially since they are looking to move on from Ajinkya Rahane.
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