Could KL Rahul Be Pietersen’s Top Choice for T20I?

New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) Delhi Capitals (DC) mentor Kevin Pietersen is confident that KL Rahul’s revamped batting style in IPL 2025 should pave the way for his return to the Indian T20I lineup. Rahul last featured in the T20Is during the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup, where he struggled with only 128 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 120.75. His performance faced criticism for being outdated. However, since joining DC in IPL 2025, Rahul has significantly changed his approach, focusing on aggressive play with greater freedom. He has scored 364 runs in eight matches, averaging 60.67 with a strike rate of 146.18.

“You have many opening batters, including Surya, but with the way KL Rahul is performing now, he would be my top choice to bat at four and keep wickets for India,” Pietersen stated during the post-match press conference following DC's six-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

On Sunday, Rahul faced challenges against RCB, scoring 41 off 39 balls due to spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma exploiting the pitch. Still, Pietersen commended Rahul for his willingness to evolve his T20 approach.

“Since late last year, KL has displayed a very positive attitude. We witnessed his impactful finishes for India, almost clinching victories in the Champions Trophy in Dubai.

“I’ve engaged in many insightful discussions with him about batting. Transitioning from a defensive style taught in youth to adapting for a constantly evolving format in your thirties is incredibly challenging.

“His acceptance of the need for change and his successful adaptation speaks volumes about his character. He approaches his practice, training, and game discussions with such positivity. That’s the essence of KL,” he added.

Reflecting on DC's 162/8, the lowest first innings score since IPL 2024, Pietersen noted that batting first was difficult due to the dry pitch, leading him to believe chasing would have been preferable. However, the decision was taken out of their hands when RCB’s captain Rajat Patidar chose to bowl first. Interestingly, DC’s captain Axar Patel had no issues batting first.

“We lost the toss, but we would have chased had we won. Winning the toss was crucial. Batting became slightly easier later on. The first innings was particularly challenging due to the dry conditions,” he explained.

DC has a quick turnaround, facing the inconsistent Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, and Pietersen believes the team has yet to deliver a flawless performance. “We possess a solid bowling lineup and a long batting order. Our performance depends heavily on our opponents,” he remarked.

“Looking at this evening's game against Bangalore, the conditions favored them. However, I hope Tuesday's pitch against KKR will differ. We still haven’t achieved our best game yet. With 12 points, it’s promising that we haven’t fully utilized our potential.”

“Even when Bengaluru was close to winning, our players believed we could prevail, thanks to previous victories. We haven’t showcased our best match yet, but I am confident it’s on the horizon.”

This is Pietersen's first coaching role in cricket after years in commentary. Working closely with seasoned players like Rahul and Faf du Plessis, along with young talents like Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma, Pietersen emphasized the thrilling unpredictability and lasting significance of technique in modern batting.

“Many of these players may not pursue Test cricket. It’s fascinating to witness some of the shots they play and how rapidly they execute them. It often seems chaotic, yet it reflects the game's evolution.

“However, on pitches like the one we played on tonight, a more methodical approach is essential. Players like Virat Kohli found their rhythm, and that's when you see the true essence of batting.”

“It appears effortless due to their refined techniques built over decades. While some wickets may favor aggressive play, having varied conditions can be beneficial for T20 cricket. Not every match should see bowlers being overwhelmed by batting,” he concluded.