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KL Rahul T20 Position: Kevin Pietersen Backs Him as India’s No. 4 Wicketkeeper
Delhi Capitals’ KL Rahul plays a shot during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 T20 cricket match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav
Former England cricketer and Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen has thrown his weight behind KL Rahul for the crucial number 4 T20 position in India’s setup, describing him as his “first-choice” for the role. Pietersen’s endorsement comes as KL Rahul continues his impressive form in IPL 2025, making a strong case for his return to India’s T20I squad ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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Kevin Pietersen’s Strong Endorsement for KL Rahul’s T20 Position
Following Delhi Capitals’ recent match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kevin Pietersen was unequivocal about his support for KL Rahul’s T20 position in the Indian team. Speaking to reporters after the game, the former England star made his preference clear despite the wealth of batting talent available to India.
I back KL at No. 4 for India in T20 cricket. You’ve got Rohit and Yashasvi — you’ve got Surya, who bats at the top, you’ve got all of these guys. But the way KL Rahul is playing cricket now, he would be my first choice to bat at four and keep wicket for India.
Pietersen’s endorsement carries significant weight given his extensive experience at the international level and his current role mentoring Rahul at Delhi Capitals. His assessment of the ideal KL Rahul T20 position is based on close observation of the player’s technical and mental approach to the game, as well as his ability to fulfill the dual role of middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper.
KL Rahul’s Current Form in IPL 2025
The conversation around KL Rahul’s T20 position has been fueled by his exceptional form in IPL 2025. Currently the highest run-getter for Delhi Capitals, Rahul has amassed 364 runs in 8 matches, displaying a wide array of shots including lofted drives, straight shots, pulls, and flicks. His wicketkeeping has been equally impressive, demonstrating his value as a dual-skilled player.
In the recent match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rahul once again showcased his batting prowess, top-scoring for Delhi Capitals with 41 off 39 balls and helping his side post a competitive total of 162/8. While his team ultimately lost the match, Rahul’s consistent performance reinforced discussions about his ideal T20 position in the Indian team.
KL Rahul’s IPL 2025 Season Highlights
- Currently Delhi Capitals’ highest run-scorer with 364 runs in 8 matches
- Maintaining a solid average while batting predominantly at the number 4 position
- Showcasing an expanded repertoire of shots, including more aggressive options
- Effectively combining wicketkeeping duties with batting responsibilities
- Demonstrating leadership qualities in pressure situations
Rahul’s Success in ODI Format
While the debate around KL Rahul’s T20 position continues, his achievements in the ODI format provide strong credentials for his inclusion in India’s T20 setup. Over the past 18 months, Rahul has established himself as a vital component of India’s ODI middle order, displaying remarkable consistency and adaptability.
Rahul’s performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup was particularly noteworthy, where he amassed 452 runs in 11 matches at an outstanding average of 75.33. He followed this with crucial contributions in the Champions Trophy, where his unbeaten innings in both the semifinal (42*) against Australia and the final (34* off 33) against New Zealand proved instrumental in India securing back-to-back ICC titles.
| Tournament | Matches | Runs | Average | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 ODI World Cup | 11 | 452 | 75.33 | Multiple match-winning innings |
| Champions Trophy | 5 | 136 | 45.33 | Unbeaten in semifinal and final |
| IPL 2025 (ongoing) | 8 | 364 | 45.50 | Delhi Capitals’ leading run-scorer |
Beyond his batting contributions, Rahul has excelled in his wicketkeeping role—guiding bowlers, assisting the captain with DRS decisions, and maintaining composure under pressure. These qualities make him a compelling candidate for the wicketkeeper-batsman role at the number 4 T20 position in India’s lineup.
The T20 World Cup Absence
Despite his ODI success and wicketkeeping prowess, KL Rahul was notably absent from India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies—a tournament India ultimately won. This omission has fueled his determination to reclaim his T20 position in the national team, with his IPL performances suggesting a focused effort to make an irrefutable case for selection.
The emotions were raw and visible when KL Rahul finally lifted the Champions Trophy — his maiden ICC title. He knew exactly how much it meant to him.
The absence from the T20 World Cup appears to have provided additional motivation for Rahul to evolve his game. With the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Rahul seems determined to ensure he doesn’t miss another global tournament, particularly one played on home soil.
Evolution of KL Rahul’s Batting Approach
Kevin Pietersen’s advocacy for KL Rahul’s T20 position is notably influenced by the batter’s willingness to transform his approach. According to Pietersen, Rahul has successfully transitioned from a technically orthodox player to one who can adapt to the evolving demands of T20 cricket—a change that isn’t always easy for players with classical foundations.
I’ve had a lot of incredibly brilliant conversations with him about batting — a lot of deep and meaningful conversations — because when you grow up as a youngster like he did, you’re taught defence, elbow up, playing in the V. Then, all of a sudden, in your 30s, you’ve got to change and become a different kind of player for a format that’s evolving all the time. It’s very, very difficult. The way he has accepted that he needed to change, and the way he has changed, is great credit to the person he is.
Pietersen’s insights reveal the significant technical and mental adjustments Rahul has made to enhance his effectiveness in the shortest format. This evolution has positioned him perfectly for the number 4 T20 position, where his balanced approach allows him to either consolidate after early wickets or accelerate when building on a strong start.
The Middle-Order Challenge in T20 Cricket
The number 4 position in T20 cricket is particularly challenging as it requires exceptional adaptability. The batter must be capable of rebuilding after early wickets, accelerating during the middle overs, and finishing games in pressure situations. KL Rahul’s evolved batting approach, combined with his experience and wicketkeeping skills, makes him uniquely suited to this pivotal role in India’s T20 lineup.
India’s T20 Team Combination and Rahul’s Role
Pietersen’s endorsement of KL Rahul’s T20 position at number 4 takes into account India’s current batting options and team balance. With established players like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Suryakumar Yadav at the top of the order, Rahul’s inclusion at number 4 would provide India with the perfect blend of stability and aggression in the middle order.
The dual role of wicketkeeper-batsman that Rahul can fulfill also offers India valuable flexibility in their team composition. By having a player who can perform both roles effectively, the team can potentially include an additional bowling option or specialist batter depending on conditions and opposition.
Potential India T20I Batting Order with KL Rahul
- Rohit Sharma – Captain and explosive opener
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Left-handed aggressive opener
- Suryakumar Yadav – 360-degree player, current World No. 1 T20I batsman
- KL Rahul – Wicketkeeper-batsman, middle-order anchor with finishing abilities
- Hardik Pandya – Power-hitter and seam bowling all-rounder
- Rishabh Pant/Rinku Singh – Left-handed finisher options
- Ravindra Jadeja – All-rounder providing lower-order hitting and spin bowling
The proposed batting lineup with Rahul at number 4 would provide India with the perfect balance of right and left-handed batters throughout the order, creating challenges for opposition bowlers in setting fields and executing plans.
Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup
As India looks ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with Sri Lanka, the debate around KL Rahul’s T20 position and role in the team will likely intensify. His current IPL form suggests he’s making a compelling case for inclusion, with Pietersen’s endorsement adding significant weight to his candidacy.
The coming months will be crucial for Rahul to maintain his impressive performances and continue evolving his game to match the ever-changing demands of T20 cricket. With approximately 18 months until the tournament, there’s sufficient time for him to cement his position in India’s T20I setup.
Rahul’s Key Focus Areas for T20 Success
- Strike Rate Optimization: Balancing anchoring with necessary acceleration
- Power Hitting: Further developing boundary options against pace bowling
- Finishing Ability: Consistent performance in high-pressure chase scenarios
- Wicketkeeping Excellence: Maintaining high standards behind the stumps
- Fitness Management: Ensuring peak physical condition for the dual role
With Kevin Pietersen’s strong endorsement and his own performances backing his case, KL Rahul’s T20 position at number 4 for India seems increasingly plausible. For now, he continues to showcase his capabilities in IPL 2025, where Delhi Capitals remain firmly on track for a playoff spot despite their recent loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
As Pietersen aptly summarized: “He is so positive — the way he practices, the way he trains, the way he thinks about the game, and also the way he talks about the game.” These qualities, combined with his technical skill and experience, make KL Rahul a compelling candidate for India’s number 4 T20 position as they build toward another World Cup campaign on home soil.
Published: April 28, 2025
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