KL Rahul Signs with Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026 Season

KL Rahul has officially joined Delhi Capitals for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, showcasing his signature celebration inspired by the film 'Kantara'. After a remarkable previous season where he scored 539 runs, he aims to reach the 6,000-run milestone in his IPL career. The Capitals will begin their season against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1. Discover more about Rahul's journey and his aspirations for the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 11:09 IST

KL Rahul Joins Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026

Indian cricketer KL Rahul has officially signed with Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The franchise shared a video showcasing KL's arrival at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Upon reaching the pitch, he celebrated in a style reminiscent of his iconic moment from the movie 'Kantara', which he previously showcased during a match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in his home state of Karnataka. After an impressive innings of 93 runs off 53 balls while chasing a target of 164 set by RCB, KL, typically known for his composed demeanor, displayed an unusually spirited celebration. He thumped his chest, pointed to the ground, and made it clear that the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was his territory. He also moved his bat in a circular motion and tapped it aggressively on the ground. Later, he explained that his celebration was inspired by the 2022 Kannada film, Kantara. In reference to KL's remarks after that match, DC welcomed him back with the message, 'Ye tera ground hai, Rahul. Welcome back home.'

A Look Back at Rahul's Previous Season

Last season, KL Rahul showcased his aggressive batting style, amassing 539 runs in 13 matches with an impressive average of 53.90 and a strike rate nearing 150. His performance included one century and three half-centuries, making him the top run-scorer for DC and the ninth-highest overall in the league. Additionally, he led the team in sixes, hitting a total of 21 maximums.

Chasing IPL Milestones

Throughout his IPL career, KL Rahul has played 145 matches, scoring 5,222 runs in 136 innings. His journey has included stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), RCB, Punjab Kings, and now DC. He boasts an average of 46.21 and a strike rate of 136.02, with five centuries and 40 fifties to his name. Notably, he was the Orange Cap winner in the 2020 season while with PBKS, scoring 670 runs in 14 innings, which included one century and five fifties. This season, he aims to approach or surpass the 6,000-run milestone, a feat achieved by only four other players: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and David Warner. Currently, he ranks as the seventh-highest run-scorer in IPL history.

DC's Season Opener

Delhi Capitals will kick off their season against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1 in Lucknow.