‘Back to enjoying white-ball cricket’ – KL Rahul opens about his match winning knock vs CSK

KL Rahul played a match-winning knock for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) game versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday. The 32-year-old scored 77 runs from 51 balls with the help of six boundaries and three sixes. This knock helped Delhi win their first match at the Chepauk stadium since 2010 by 25 runs. Axar Patel and his side ended the day at the top of the table, having won their first three games of the season. 

IPL’s official social media handle put out a short video where Rahul could be seen interacting with DC’s mentor, Kevin Pietersen. The 32-year-old revealed how he found his love for white-ball cricket again and was relishing the freedom to play his natural game. Rahul was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo as saying, “I've worked really hard on my white-ball game the last year or so. Big shoutout to Abhishek Nayar (India’s assistant coach). I've worked a lot with him ever since he's come into the Indian team.”

Delhi’s ace batter also added, “We've spent hours and hours together talking about my white-ball game and how I can be better. We worked hours and hours together in Bombay and somewhere I have found the fun playing white-ball cricket." It is to be noted that Rahul was a key player for India during their recent Champions Trophy 2025 win. 

‘Had lost the joy of hitting boundaries.’ - KL Rahul to Kevin Pietersen

In his chat with Kevin Pietersen on IPL’s official channel, Rahul also said, “I think somewhere along the way I lost that fun of hitting boundaries and hitting sixes. I wanted to take the game deep, deep, deep and that somehow stuck in my head. But now I have realised I need to go back; cricket's changed, and T20 cricket, especially, is only about hitting boundaries. The team that hits more boundaries and sixes ends up winning the game.”

The 32-year-old also said, “So back to enjoying my cricket. I am not thinking too much about the game, not thinking about taking it deep or any of that stuff. Just see [the] ball and try and be aggressive and put the pressure on the bowler and the opposition and just enjoy hitting boundaries."