For his reliable batting achievements for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Cheteshwar Pujara showered KL Rahul with appreciation. The wicketkeeper-batter has hammered 323 runs in only seven innings at an average of 64.60 and a strike rate of 153.81, since DC signed him in the super auction last year. He is the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in IPL history and is the top scorer for the team captained by Axar Patel this season. The accomplishment was made by Rahul in his 130th innings.
Rahul’s unbeaten 57 off 42 balls on Tuesday, April 22, helped DC defeat his old IPL team, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), by eight wickets at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Following the game, Cheteshwar Pujara praised his old India teammate for attempting to enjoy his batting and not focussing on the past.
“Simply put your past behind you and move on. That’s fortunate. KL is an experienced player. He has been batting brilliantly in all formats over the past two years. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut, Pujara stated, “He just wants to enjoy his batting and stay in his zone. He doesn’t want to think about the past.”
Although Rahul’s time with LSG ended bitterly, the 33-year-old cricketer has benefited from moving to Delhi.
Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the Mangaluru-born have profited from letting go of the past.
“It’s good to move on, which will also help him perform well for DC and even for the Indian team,” said Pujara. He now has a much more mature appearance and is quite knowledgeable about his game. This season, we have witnessed a different KL Rahul. He didn’t appear very smooth when he first started [against LSG], but he still picked it up.”
The Delhi Capitals have resumed their winning ways.
The Delhi Capitals’ victory over LSG on Tuesday moved them one step closer to earning a postseason berth. They are ranked second in the standings after registering six victories from eight games. On April 27, Axar and company will play again at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, have five victories and four losses from nine games after losing by eight wickets on Tuesday. On the points table, they are ranked fifth. On April 27, LSG will play the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.
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