Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath has backed Delhi Capitals to solve their batting order conundrum, especially KL Rahul’s place in the order. Badrinath reckons the veteran batter wants to open the innings whereas the team’s think tank wants him to bat in the middle order.

The flamboyant batter batted mostly in the middle order in IPL 2025 as he opened only on four occasions. 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.

Rahul scored 539 runs in 13 matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 149.72.

Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “Every year, the batting order is their conundrum, especially where KL Rahul should bat. I believe KL Rahul wants to open the innings. But, on the other side, the team management wants him to bat in the middle order. This seems to be an ongoing conflict. They definitely have to solve this issue. It is unclear whether KL Rahul is happy in DC.”

Meanwhile, DC had got off to a promising start in IPL 2025 but veered off the track towards the fag end as they could only manage a solitary win in last five games. Badrinath said it would be imperative for Axar Patel’s team to maintain their consistency and peak towards the business end of the tournament.

“Axar Patel’s captaincy has been good and he is entering this IPL in red-hot form. A captain coming into the tournament full of confidence is massive for a team. They have a very good fast-bowling unit with a fully fit Starc and Natarajan. Ngidi has been brilliant with his variations. These three, along with Mukesh, make them a formidable fast-bowling unit. DC are traditionally fast starters, but they have to maintain consistency and play well at the business end of the competition,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).

Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow on 1st April.