Cheteshwar Pujara Praises KL Rahul's Move to Delhi Capitals

Pujara's Insights on Rahul's Transition

New Delhi [India] - Veteran Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara expressed his belief that KL Rahul's transfer to the Delhi Capitals will be advantageous for both the player and the national team.

In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Pujara noted that he has observed a more seasoned version of Rahul this season, who has a better grasp of his game. He acknowledged that while Rahul's initial performances were somewhat inconsistent, he eventually regained his form.

“It's beneficial for him to move on, which will enhance his performance for DC and the Indian team. He has become a key player for India, especially with his current batting form. He appears more mature and has a clearer understanding of his game. This season, we have witnessed a different KL Rahul. Although he started against LSG a bit slowly, he managed to find his rhythm,” Pujara stated, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Nick Knight's Perspective on Captaincy

Former England cricketer Nick Knight shared his thoughts on the dual nature of captaincy, suggesting it can either enhance or hinder a player's performance. He speculated that Rahul's recent success might stem from the freedom he has experienced since stepping down as captain of DC. Knight emphasized that the best player does not always make the best captain.

“Captaincy can have unpredictable effects on players—sometimes it motivates them, while at other times it feels like a burden. Whether Rahul's current form is influenced by his freedom from captaincy is uncertain, but he seems to be playing with more ease and adapting to match situations. There’s a common misconception in cricket that the top player must also be the captain, which isn’t always true. I’m not implying this applies to KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant, but Rahul is batting with a newfound freedom and appears relaxed at the crease,” Knight remarked.

Rahul's Stellar Performance Against Lucknow

Rahul's explosive performance, along with Abhishek Porel's steady half-century, propelled the Delhi Capitals to an impressive 8-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Following a strong bowling effort, the duo's aggressive fifties allowed DC to secure the win with relative ease. Rahul, who previously played for Lucknow for three seasons, silenced the crowd with his remarkable unbeaten score of 57, helping DC match the Gujarat Titans with 12 points.

With this innings, Rahul achieved his 40th half-century in the IPL and became the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in the league's history.