Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has been impressed by KL Rahul‘s “mindset” and the “approach to his batting”, particularly his take down of Ravi Bishnoi during Delhi Capitals’ win against Rajasthan Royals on Friday.
Coming into the game, Rahul did not have a great record against Bishnoi in the IPL, with just eight runs in 12 balls. But with DC chasing a mammoth 226, Rahul laid into his former Lucknow Super Giants team-mate, smashing him for 26 off nine balls, with two fours and two sixes.
“He [Rahul] has always had the game,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo Time Out. “He can take on any bowler at any time; it is just his mindset. Today we have seen a very, very good approach to his batting.
“He went through a couple of shots against Bishnoi because he was sure that Bishnoi had the pace, and he could just stand in the crease and still go through with the shot. That shot was still not on, a slightly good-length or short-of-a-length ball, which he hit straight for six. That shows that the wicket was good, and also KL’s confidence in his batting and a change in the way he generally bats.
“These are the balls that he generally does not take in and it is a great sign that he is taking on these lengths and deliveries against spin. That is why we are seeing him play such higher strike-rates in this tournament compared to few other seasons.”
Rahul finished unbeaten on 75 off 41 balls, striking at 187.50. He is the current leading run-scorer in the tournament with 433 runs in nine outings, with three fifties and a ton. But what’s stood out in IPL 2026 is his strike rate of 185.83, comfortably his best in the IPL. Having drawn flak not long ago when he said that “strike rates are very, very overrated”, Rahul said that he was happy to turn that around.
“The strike rate was a big talking point for a few years,” Rahul said after winning the Player-of-the-Match award. “That’s something that I’ve really worked on. I’m happy that I’ve worked on that and I’m doing what’s required for the team, number one, and doing what modern T20 cricket requires. And yeah, that’s something that’s pleasing for me.”
