IPL 2025: KL Rahul Thanks Abhishek Nayar for Rediscovering Joy in White-Ball Cricket

Synopsis

KL Rahul, after a stellar performance that led Delhi Capitals to victory over Chennai Super Kings, credits Indian team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar for helping him rediscover the joy of playing white-ball cricket. His innings of 77 runs off 51 balls reflects a renewed approach and focus on enjoying the game.

Key Takeaways

KL Rahul scored 77 runs off 51 balls in a crucial win for DC.
He acknowledged the impact of Abhishek Nayar on his game.
Rahul's innings helped DC secure a victory in Chennai after 15 years.
He emphasizes the importance of adapting to modern white-ball cricket.
Rahul aims to enjoy the game and focus on aggressive batting.

Chennai, April 6 (NationPress) After scoring an impressive 77 runs off 51 balls to lead the Delhi Capitals (DC) to a 25-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and ascend to the top of the IPL 2025 points table, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has acknowledged the influence of Indian team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in helping him rediscover the joy of playing white-ball cricket.

On a dry pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Rahul opened the innings in the absence of an injured Faf du Plessis, initially scoring 25 runs off 20 balls before accelerating dramatically to add 36 runs in just 18 balls, ultimately finishing with 77 off 51 balls.

His remarkable innings, featuring six fours and three sixes, including a strong performance against CSK’s main bowler Noor Ahamd, led DC to set a total of 183/6, securing a victory in Chennai after 15 years and keeping their unbeaten streak alive in the tournament.

"I've put in significant effort into enhancing my white-ball game over the past year. A huge thanks to Abhishek Nayar. We've dedicated numerous hours together since his arrival in the Indian team, discussing my performance and how I can improve.

“We spent a lot of time in Mumbai, and I have rediscovered the enjoyment of playing white-ball cricket," Rahul shared with DC mentor Kevin Pietersen during a video conversation on iplt20.com on Sunday.

Rahul missed DC’s opening match due to paternity leave but returned against Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring a brisk 15 runs off 5 balls before delivering a stellar performance against CSK.

“It feels great knowing the opposition struggled just as much as I did in the middle, and they couldn't clinch the win. However, I felt I left 15-20 runs on the table at the end. During our discussion at the halfway mark, I mentioned my intent to target specific areas.

“I was still in, and I had a positive mindset. I aimed to score boundaries but struggled with timing initially. A brief pause helped me. Once I got back in, I connected well, hit the ball in the gaps, and started scoring freely," Rahul explained.

Rahul entered the tournament following a standout performance as India’s finisher during the victorious 2025 Champions Trophy, where he accumulated 140 runs at a strike rate of 97.90, remaining unbeaten three times.

He also discussed his evolved approach to white-ball cricket, emphasizing the need to adapt to modern gameplay to stay relevant.

"Somewhere along the line, I lost the enjoyment of hitting boundaries and sixes. I focused too much on taking the game deep, which became a mental block. Now, I've realized I need to revert. Cricket has evolved, and especially in T20, it's about hitting boundaries.

"The team that hits the most boundaries and sixes usually wins. I'm back to enjoying my cricket. I’m not overthinking it, not worried about playing conservatively. I just focus on seeing the ball, playing aggressively, and applying pressure on the bowler while enjoying the game," he concluded.