KL Rahul Likely to Bat in New Position as Delhi Capitals Push for IPL 2025 Playoffs: Report

As IPL 2025 resumes this Saturday, Delhi Capitals are set to make a key change to their batting lineup, with only three games left in the league stage and a tight playoff race ahead. According to a report from The Times of India, the Axar Patel-led team is planning to move KL Rahul back to the opening slot. Rahul’s skills could make a significant difference, therefore the decision is driven by a desire for more stability and experience during the Powerplay,

Rahul has been used in various positions in the batting order, since joining the franchise this season, . Of his ten appearances, he’s opened the innings just once, batted at number three twice, and at number four seven times. Despite putting up solid numbers in the middle order, the constant shuffling seems to have disrupted the team’s rhythm at the start. With Jake Fraser-McGurk struggling and Faf du Plessis injured, moving Rahul back to the top is seen as the simplest way to bring some consistency.

Delhi Capitals started IPL 2025 strong but have faltered since a last-ball loss to Mumbai Indians at home. Since that defeat, they’ve managed just three wins in their last seven matches, leaving them fifth in the standings with 13 points from 11 games. Another loss could push them further down, so their next three matches are crucial: a home game against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, an away match at Wankhede against Mumbai Indians, and a final group-stage clash against Punjab Kings in Jaipur.

To turn their season around, Delhi will need a strong all-around performance. With Mitchell Starc unavailable for the remainder of the season, the team will rely on left-arm pacers T. Natarajan and Mustafizur Rahman, along with veteran seamers Mohit Sharma and Mukesh Kumar, to lead the bowling attack. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will remain central to their strategy, in the spin department,

The decision to promote Rahul to the top of the order is expected to help the team, allowing him to rotate the strike and ease the pressure on young, explosive batsmen like Abhishek Porel.