Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has backed KL Rahul to open the innings for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL 2026. Rahul has delivered consistently in the IPL while opening the innings.
The flamboyant batter batted mostly in the middle order in IPL 2025. Towards the fag end of the tournament, Rahul scored an unbeaten knock of 112 runs off 65 balls against Gujarat Titans while opening the innings.
“I think he will open, and he should open only. He has a fabulous record as an opener. If we talk about the last three or four years, his graph, when it comes to strike rate, has gone up a lot. I feel they shouldn’t get confused,” Kaif said on Star Sports.
Kaif said Delhi Capitals have the services of David Miller and Tristan Stubbs, who can both play the finisher role in the lower-middle order.
“The problem is that they ask KL Rahul to bat at No. 4 or do the finishing role. He should go and play his game, and as an opener. They have Miller and Stubbs as well this time. You open, and back your shots and game. A massive change was seen in his batting last year. He improved his game in the powerplay, and he alone won a few matches,” Kaif observed.
The former DC assistant coach said the franchise has a very balanced team for IPL 2026.
“It’s a very balanced team. The last time’s problem was their openers. Sometimes KL Rahul was opening, sometimes Karun Nair, and sometimes Abishek Porel was made to open. You have brought in Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka and Prithvi Shaw. Opening was the problem, and they have brought in a lot of openers,” he said.
Kaif said David Miller’s presence strengthens the middle order for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming season.
“The biggest thing is David Miller. He will bat at No. 5 or No. 6 on that Delhi pitch, and he is in great form. So they have done two things. They have filled their squad with a lot of openers and brought in Miller. Spinners were their strength from earlier, and they have a few fast bowlers as well. It’s looking like a more balanced team compared to last year,” Kaif observed.
Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow on 1st April.
