Why is KL Rahul not keeping wickets in DC vs KKR IPL 2025 game?

Delhi Capitals (DC) won the toss and chose to bowl first in the key IPL 2025 game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday night. Veteran Indian cricketer KL Rahul was seen playing as a fielder rather than donning the gloves as a wicketkeeper. Abhishek Porel was given the gloves for the game, which left many fans wondering the reason behind the move. 

It seems a tactical move from Delhi Capitals as they want KL Rahul to focus more on his batting. It is a huge game for Delhi Capitals as they have slid down to the fourth spot in the points table after their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last encounter. It is also an indicator that Rahul could potentially bat further up the order as Delhi are chasing. 

Axar Patel mentioned at the toss that his side is going in with the same unchanged side that played against RCB on Sunday night. Kolkata Knight Riders made one change as Anukul Roy replaced medium pacer Chetan Sakariya, who played in the last game against Punjab Kings. 

Sunil Narine helps KKR get off to blazing start

Former KKR pacer Mitchell Starc opened the bowling for Delhi and saw Rahmanullah Gurbaz slam him down the ground for a four to start the proceedings. The left-arm seamer then tested the Afghan wicketkeeper and batter with a series of short balls. The final ball of the first over was hit for yet another four as eight runs were scored to give KKR a sound start. 

Sri Lankan pacer Dushmanta Chameera was taken to the cleaners by Sunil Narine in his first over of the game. Narine got off the mark with a huge six which sailed over the bowler's head. Narine then hit the pacer for a boundary with a flick shot over the mid-wicket region. 

KKR’s dynamic opening batter then picked a slower ball delivered by Chameera early and hit the bowler for a six over mid-wicket again. The final ball of the over saw Gurbaz get a thick edge that went down to fine leg for yet another four. Chameera saw his first over being smashed for 25 runs as KKR raced to 33 for no loss after two overs.