Irfan Pathan Praises KL Rahul and Supports Prithvi Shaw Ahead of IPL 2026
Irfan Pathan's Insights on IPL 2026
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approaches, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed his admiration for Delhi Capitals (DC) opener KL Rahul's reliability and has endorsed Prithvi Shaw as his opening partner. The DC team is set to kick off their season against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1 in Lucknow.
KL Rahul: A Reliable Performer
In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Pathan referred to KL Rahul as a 'safest bank' for scoring runs, emphasizing his ability to consistently achieve 500 runs each season. He acknowledged the ongoing discussions about Rahul's strike rate but insisted that winning matches is what truly matters. 'KL Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs every season. He will always score runs and is capable of giving good starts consistently. It is just that we sometimes talk about his strike rate, but as long as you win the match, you do not need to focus much on that,' he stated.
KL Rahul's Impressive Statistics
Last season, KL Rahul showcased his aggressive batting style, amassing 539 runs in 13 matches with an average of 53.90 and a strike rate nearing 150, which included a century and three half-centuries. He was the top scorer for DC and ranked ninth overall in the league. Additionally, he led DC in sixes, hitting 21 maximums.
Throughout his IPL career, KL has played 145 matches, scoring 5,222 runs in 136 innings, representing teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), RCB, Punjab Kings, and DC. His career average stands at 46.21 with a strike rate of 136.02, featuring five centuries and 40 fifties. He was the Orange Cap winner in the 2020 season with PBKS, scoring 670 runs in 14 innings. This season, he aims to approach the 6,000-run milestone, which would place him among the top five run-scorers in IPL history.
Pathan's Support for Prithvi Shaw
Pathan also voiced his support for Prithvi Shaw, who was acquired by DC for Rs 75 lakh after going unsold in the previous auction. He believes Shaw will be eager to prove himself after missing a season. However, he cautioned Shaw against succumbing to pressure, as it can lead to failure. 'They got him at a very good price. He shifted to Maharashtra from Mumbai in domestic cricket. He was the highest run-scorer for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Yes, he did not score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but he seems to be in good form. I think those hungry players who went unsold last year always come with a point to prove. Prithvi Shaw will come to prove a point,' Pathan remarked.
Shaw's Domestic Performance
Shaw had a remarkable domestic season for Maharashtra, scoring 537 runs in 11 Ranji Trophy innings at an average of 48.82 and a strike rate exceeding 91, including a double century and three fifties. He also performed well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making 193 runs in six innings in VHT and 183 runs in seven innings in SMAT.
Having not represented India since 2021, Shaw is looking forward to a successful season with DC, a team he played for from 2018 to 2024, accumulating 1,892 runs in 79 innings at an average of nearly 24 and a strike rate of 147.46, with 14 fifties.