Sanjay Manjrekar Critiques KL Rahul After DC's Loss to CSK

In a recent match, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticized KL Rahul's slow batting performance, which contributed to Delhi Capitals' defeat against Chennai Super Kings. Despite some recent successes, Rahul's inconsistency has raised concerns. Manjrekar pointed out that Rahul's approach during the powerplay lacked intent, ultimately leading to the team's struggles. As Delhi Capitals prepare for their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders, the pressure is on Rahul to deliver a stronger performance. This article delves into the match details, Manjrekar's insights, and the current standings in IPL 2026.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 7, 2026, 12:40 IST

Manjrekar's Strong Words for KL Rahul

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disappointment with wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul following Delhi Capitals' defeat against Chennai Super Kings on the night of May 5. After a series of poor performances, Delhi made a surprising decision to bat first on the slow pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

DC's Struggles Continue

Opening the innings for Delhi Capitals, KL Rahul struggled with his batting pace and was dismissed during the powerplay. Consequently, the team's batting faltered, resulting in a total of only 156 runs. In response, Sanju Samson's impressive unbeaten 87 led CSK to a comfortable victory by eight wickets.

Sixth Loss for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026

This marked the sixth loss for Delhi Capitals this season. Manjrekar directly attributed the defeat to Rahul's slow innings, noting a lack of intent during the powerplay.

Inconsistent Performance from Rahul

In a video shared on Instagram, Manjrekar remarked, "It seems KL Rahul plays differently in every other match. Sometimes he attacks bowlers from the start, which fans love to see, but then he thinks he has earned the right to stay at the crease, putting pressure on the other batsmen."

Slow Innings Impacting Team's Chances

He continued, "With this mindset, he ends up playing a slow innings. If you score just 12 runs off 12 balls, you are sealing your team's fate. Delhi's batting was lackluster in the first six overs, and that’s where they lost the match."

Rahul's Recent Form

Despite this poor performance, Rahul has shown good form in recent matches. Last week, he scored 75 runs against Rajasthan Royals, helping Delhi chase down a target of 226. He also made a remarkable unbeaten 152 against Punjab Kings at Arun Jaitley Stadium, setting a record for the highest individual score by an Indian batsman at the venue.

Upcoming Match for Delhi Capitals

However, they failed to defend a massive score of 264 runs in that match. Delhi Capitals will face Kolkata Knight Riders next on Friday, May 8, at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

IPL 2026 Points Table Update

Following the 49th match of IPL 2026, significant changes occurred in the points table, with Punjab Kings dropping to second place and Royal Challengers Bangalore moving to third. The Orange Cap is currently held by Heinrich Klaasen, while Ishan Kishan has surpassed Vaibhav Surya in the list of top five batsmen.

Instagram Post

View this post on Instagram