IPL 2026: Finch Praises Rahul’s Technique Against Hazlewood in DC's Win Over RCB
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) Aaron Finch, the former Australian cricketer, believes that KL Rahul's exceptional technique played a pivotal role in helping him tackle the challenges posed by Josh Hazlewood during the 26th match of IPL 2026 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
While chasing a target of 176, Delhi Capitals found themselves in a precarious situation at 18/3 during the powerplay. However, Rahul took control of the innings with an aggressive approach, effectively countering the RCB bowlers and shifting the momentum in favor of his team. Finch highlighted that Rahul's solid technique was instrumental in managing Hazlewood's precise line and length with great effectiveness.
“He went after him right from the start, hitting a six over cover on the very first ball. He had a favorable matchup against Hazlewood. He’s arguably the player whose style aligns perfectly with a bowler like Hazlewood, who operates around the off stump,” Finch remarked on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show.
“Another player with excellent Test batting technique. His innings was crucial. He consistently found the boundary when required,” he added.
Rahul's innings of 57 runs off just 30 balls featured several strategic boundaries, including a remarkable over against Hazlewood where he amassed 14 runs, enabling DC to recover from a challenging position. His skill in rotating the strike and finding gaps ensured that the required run rate remained manageable.
Additionally, he formed a significant 76-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs, which revitalized DC's chances after their early struggles. Although Rahul was dismissed in the middle overs, his innings provided a solid base for the chase.
The match concluded dramatically in the final over, with David Miller leveraging his experience to clinch victory for Delhi Capitals with two sixes and a boundary.
With this triumph, DC now occupies the fourth position in the points table, accumulating six points from five matches. After breaking a two-game losing streak, DC aims to maintain their winning momentum when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 21.