KL Rahul Set to Return for Delhi Capitals Against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Good news for Delhi Capitals fans! Star batter KL Rahul will be back in action on Sunday (March 30) when DC takes on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The 32-year-old missed the first match of the season as he was celebrating the birth of his child, but he is now ready to rejoin the team, according to reports. Journalist Gaurav Gupta shared the update on Twitter, saying, "Having just become a father, India's white-ball keeper-batter KL Rahul is set to turn out for Delhi Capitals' second match of IPL 2025 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30."

🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR KL FANS 🚨

Rahul is set to be available for the next IPL match on Sunday against SRH. [Gaurav Gupta from TOI] pic.twitter.com/0fhwneTaeN

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 26, 2025

Delhi Capitals Excited for K.L. Rahul’s Return 

K.L. Rahul’s comeback makes a huge impact for Delhi Capitals. He has been one of the most consistent players in IPL history, scoring 4,683 runs in 132 matches at an average of 45.47. His presence will add experience and stability to the team’s batting lineup.

ALSO READ: Rabada’s bold take: ‘T20 is just batting, not cricket—where’s the balance?’ 

After leaving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rahul was signed by Delhi Capitals for a whopping INR 14 crore. In their first game of the season, DC, led by Axar Patel, secured a thrilling one-wicket win against Rahul’s former team, thanks to a brilliant performance from Ashutosh Sharma. 

When Will Delhi Capitals Play Next?

Delhi Capitals will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday afternoon. Both teams have started the season svery good and will be aiming to continue their winning run. With Rahul back in the squad, DC fans have plenty to be excited about.

The conversation with current Indian ball twirler Kuldeep Yadav sparked a little excitement in the hearts of the fans as he compared the legendary footballers of all times to some of India's top-end cricketers. This comparison shows the common skills, mindset, and play style of both sports, and the crossover is an effective one.

Virat Kohli as Cristiano Ronaldo & Rohit Sharma as Steven Gerrard:

According to Kuldeep Yadav, Virat is a reflection of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also known for his hard work, how he has led the team, and his ability to perform during the most tense parts of the game. On the other hand, Kuldeep drew a parallel between Rohit Sharma and Steven Gerrard, saying that they are both level-headed players, very tactful, and win games often.

Also Read:-Mohammad Siraj gets emotional after joining Gujarat Titans

MS Dhoni as Paul Scholes & Jasprit Bumrah as Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

MS Dhoni, who is a legend in his own right, was compared to Paul Scholes, as both of them were known for their intelligent and composed playing abilities as well as the control of the game. Jasprit Bumrah was his equal among Indian players because he was likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was unpredictable and had a style that was both unconventional and highly dominant.

Kuldeep Yadav compares Indian cricketers to football legends! ⚽🏏🔥

Kohli – Ronaldo | Rohit – Gerrard | Dhoni – Scholes
Bumrah – Zlatan | Pant – Salah | Hardik – Rooney
KL Rahul – Van Dijk | Yashasvi Jaiswal – Foden | Kuldeep – B. Silva

Agree with his picks? 🤔🔥#Cricket pic.twitter.com/IkIitrBg9b

— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) March 25, 2025

Rishabh Pant as Mohamed Salah and Kuldeep Yadav as Bernardo Silva:

Kuldeep Yadav equated Rishabh Pant with Mohamed Salah, as both of them are immensely quick guys who can score in no time and sham opponents as they zigzag around. Similar to Salah's surprise blitzes and his goal-getter skills, Pant also pours out the same venom in cricket, and his attacking game can be crucial in winning the match.
Yet, Kuldeep Yadav was not only like Bernardo Silva but wider as well, which made everyone notice his excellent control, inventiveness, and skillful playing that led to outmaneuvering his competitors. The considerable dexterous play of Silva in football and his game sense very well reflect Kuldeep’s gripping his wrist-spin moves and tactical way of bowling, which usually perplexes hitters.

Also Read:-RR vs KKR – Weather & Pitch report

KL Rahul as Virgil van Dijk & Hardik Pandya as Wayne Rooney:

Kuldeep was amazed at how alike KL Rahul and Virgil van Dijk are while considering some of their special qualities like their coolness, dependability, and their capability to hold the middle order. As a rock-solid defense player, Van Dijk glues the team's batting order by batting in different formats, while Rahul challenges the pressure with ease, thereby giving their side stability.
Elsewhere, Hardik Pandya was likened to Wayne Rooney, which means he is bravely aggressive, omnipotent, and has the winner-takes-all mentality. Parallel to Pens' Rooney, Pandya gets to up his game when there's a do-or-die moment, using his abilities to the maximum the game over, be it striking or breaking the crucial wicket.

INDIAN PLAYERS WHAT THEY WOULD BE LIKE IF THEY WERE FOOTBALLERS - KULDEEP YADAV! 🌟

Virat Kohli - Ronaldo
Rohit Sharma - Gerrard
MS Dhoni - Paul Scholes
Bumrah - Zlatan
Rishabh Pant - M Salah
Kuldeep Yadav - B Silva
KL Rahul - Van Dijk
Hardik Pandya - Rooney
Yashasvi - Foden pic.twitter.com/4G4ayw0vCn

— Being Human (@BhttDNSH100) March 25, 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal as Phil Foden:

Kuldeep was of the opinion that Yashasvi Jaiswal was like the very young Phil Foden because both of them were young, had immense talent, and were able to win matches by their own performances.  Similar to Foden, who possesses the power of technique and instinct in attacking, Jaiswal is one of the strongest cricket talents of India, which we have found recently; he can play fearlessly and switch smoothly from T20's to the other formats.

Kuldeep’s comparisons have sparked engaging discussions among fans, drawing exciting parallels between cricket and football while showcasing the unique strengths of these players in their respective sports.

Delhi Capitals Cheer KL Rahul's Baby News with 'Baby Celebration' Gesture

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty have just had a baby girl. The friends, family, and fans are all over the moon with this wonderful news. To celebrate this happy moment, the Delhi Capitals (DC) team performed a special 'Baby Celebration' ceremony during their training session.Delhi Capitals coaching staff and players exhibited their elation by emulating a cradling an infant gesture. The gesture was a heartwarming way to congratulate KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty over the arrival of their baby. The celebration was filmed and uploaded to social media, bringing the fans joy and happiness.

KL Rahul's Temporary Break
KL Rahul, representing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stepped away briefly from the tournament to spend time with his wife during this momentous period. He announced the arrival of their baby boy through a lovely social media post. Wishes poured in for the couple from fans, cricketers, and celebrities.

DC team doing 'Baby Celebration' as KL Rahul welcome his child. 🥺❤️pic.twitter.com/z7IUvKYb0z

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 25, 2025

ALSO READ:IPL 2025 RR vs KKR: player battles to watch out

Best Wishes from the Cricket World
Some cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya wished KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty congratulatory messages. They were brimming with love and good luck wishes for the baby. Their fans also rejoiced, leading to it trending on social media.

KL Rahul's Return to IPL
KL Rahul is likely to make his return to the IPL and be with his team shortly. His contribution will be crucial for future matches. Till then, his fans are waiting with bated breath for him to come back to the field.

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty Welcome Their Baby Girl

A Joyous Announcement
Indian cricketer KL Rahul and Bollywood star Athiya Shetty welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on March 24, 2025. The couple made this happy announcement to their fans and appreciated the love and blessings they received. Their path as parents has commenced, initiating a new and thrilling chapter in their lives.

KL Rahul & Athiya Shetty blessed with a Baby Girl 🤍

- Congratulations to both of them. pic.twitter.com/RThsfMGTlS

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 24, 2025

A Love Story Turned into Parenthood
KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty, who got married in January 2023 after dating for a long time, had made their pregnancy announcement in November 2024. Fans, friends, and family members waited since then for the birth of their precious one. The couple has always been low-key but lovingly visible in the public domain, and their wedding was a quiet ceremony with close family and friends. Along with their daughter, they are enjoying the warm messages and blessings coming in from the nooks and corners of the world.

ALSO READ:Why Delhi Capitals' home matches moved to Vizag?

Reaction of Family and Celebrities
Athiya Shetty's dad, veteran Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, was thrilled at becoming a grandpa. He tweeted his happiness and gratitude towards fans for showering love and support. Numerous Bollywood and cricket stars have also wished the family well, which makes this event all the more special for the family.

One of the most favorite cricketers of the IPL, KL Rahul, is not featuring in today's match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Fans had been hoping that he would be playing, but he has gone on leave for personal grounds.

Reason for KL Rahul's Absence

The primary reason for KL Rahul missing the match is that he went back home to spend time with his wife, Athiya Shetty. The couple is going to have their first child, and Rahul wants to spend this momentous time with his family. As family is a priority, he took a brief cricket break.

🚨 BIG UPDATE! 🚨
No KL Rahul tonight — he’s set to miss the opener against Delhi Capitals as he awaits the arrival of his first child.

Family first moment for the skipper!❤️ pic.twitter.com/NoGbtctmHM

— Atul (@tiwariaatul) March 24, 2025

Rahul's New Team in IPL 2025

KL Rahul was acquired by Delhi Capitals this season for ₹14 crore after he was released by LSG. Most fans were eager to see him play for DC, but to their disappointment, he had to leave at the last minute. Rahul arrived for a short period, but then flew back home because of personal matters.

ALSO READ:Why Delhi Capitals' home matches moved to Vizag?

When Will Rahul Return?

 KL Rahul is expected to join the Delhi Capitals squad soon, according to reports. He may play in the next match on March 30. His return will provide solidity to DC's batting and their chances in the tournament.

Recently, Captain Axar Patel was also invited to coment on the likelihood of K.L Rahul joining the Delhi Capitals in the first match. Reasoning with the words of "personal reasons" Axar Patel acknoledged that he could not reveal the reason of Rahul's decision just mentioned by him that he has trust in the team due to the significant number of various players, thus, it is capable of adapting no matter of Rahul's availability. 

Missing Rahul, DC may have to find a different strategy for their batting lineup as well as try other players who could be the greatest picks.

DC's captain Axar Patel confirmed that because of "personal" reasons KL Rahul may or not may play the first game

Read more: https://t.co/X3v5dteB42 pic.twitter.com/VZcST111Ga

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 23, 2025

Also Read: Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants (DC vs LSG): Match 4, IPL 2025, Match Preview

Firstly the first match Delhi Capitals are going to play this season is against Lucknow Super Giants and the absence of KL Rahul could be one significant loss. LSG, his erstwhile teammates, would in the main have in mind and plan to counter Rahul, but that will change now.

DC would be wondering about Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, or maybe Rishabh Pant being able to fit in if Rahul is not playing. In the event the DC middle-order batsmen are not on fire, Axar Patel and Mitchell Marsh can step in and do whatever needs to be done.

1. Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) 

Shubman Gill continues to demonstrate that he is one of the best batters in modern-day cricket. He won the Orange Cap in 2023 and scored freely in 2024 as well. Gill's stroking ability and timing create a good chance for him to be at the top of the rankings again accounted again. Will he pull it off?

2. Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

King Kohli is back, and he is hungrier than before! After winning the Orange Cap in 2024, the RCB great has his sights set on back-to-back wins. With over 8,000 IPL runs, he has been a batting machine for years now. Fitness, mental strength, and ability to capitalize on any bowling attack heads him to be a major contender once again. Will Kohli reign supreme amongst the IPL yet again?  

3. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)

Taking on the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings is itself some excruciating pressure but Ruturaj Gaikwad has shown it was time to put in the hard work. He was the second-highest run-scorer in 2024, and based only on his calm, yet attacking style of play, looks geared to make a run at the pinnacle of leads.

4. Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans)

Not many players can match the invincible, menacing or destructive batting of Jos Buttler. The former Orange Cap holder is now with the Gujarat Titans, and his unique ability to dismantle bowling attacks makes him a huge threat. If Buttler gets going, bowlers will surely not sleep easy!

Also Read: Will MS Dhoni Retire in 2025? CSK’s Future Without Thala

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)

Quickly becoming one of the most engrossing young batters in the IPL, Yashasvi Jaiswal has proven already that he can take down the very best. His fearless brand of Cricket and consistency at the top places him in serious contention for winning the Orange Cap this season. Has this become Jaiswal's breakout IPL season?

6. Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

In the way that Travis Head made a mockery of the competition in the IPL 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary. There was no doubt he was the HORSEPOWER bat in the batting lineup for SRH playing a decisive role with extreme aggressive nature and with an unprecedented strike rate. If he continues in the same vein, there is literally no ceiling of what he can achieve with the Orange Cap in the IPL!

7. KL Rahul (Delhi Capitals)

A new team, a new story! KL Rahul is now with the Capitals and will definitely be keen to make a statement. He has been one of the more consistent batters in IPL history and could provide serious contention for the Orange Cap if he finds his rhythm quickly. he could be a serious Orange Cap conender.

8. Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

The 360° Genius Even though Suryakumar Yadav is regarded as one of the best T20 batters on the planet, he has never yet achieved the Orange Cap! He is a law of the game nightmare for bowlers with his unorthodox but effective styles. If not this IPL season, will 2025 do it for SKY?

Also Read: Mumbai Indians have released their new anthem for IPL 2025

Who will wear the Orange Cap in 2025?

The IPL is unpredictable every season brings new heroes. Will we see a young player take the honors, or will an experienced star once again take home the trophy?

Who do you all think are the favorites for the Orange Cap this season? Let us know your predictions!

KL Rahul has opted to bat at middle order for Delhi Capitals (DC) in upcomming IPL 2025. Having been a pure opening batsman, Rahul has opted to put aside his own personal preference and lost his own personal choice for the requirements of the team opting to offer stability and balance to DC's batting lineup. This has been accomplished while the team have been working hard to stabilize their middle order, who also became one of their weaknesses during the previous seasons.

It's a considered strategy that Rahul chose to bat middle order, where he creates an equilibrium and skilled head during the middle overs of an inning. His striking ability and ability to handle pressure will be crucial in constructing the innings if the top order is dismissed early. KL Rahul has been consistent in IPL's early years, hitting big and scoring runs for his team when needed, whether he has batted at the top or been a middle-order batsman.

This modification will also enable DC to experiment with their initial combination, possibly including an aggressive batsman to set up the team nicely. Having Rahul in the middle order, DC is trying to give depth to their batting line-up, so they have a stable anchor towards the later stages of the innings. This versatility also provides DC the potential to modify their strategy based on the situation of the match.

ALSO SEE: Watch: Rohit Sharma Loses His Cool as Paparazzi Disrespect Daughter’s Privacy

KL Rahul is never an egoistic player, and the fact that he changed his batting position for the team reflects his dedication towards the team's success. His adaptability and leadership trait are qualities that will enhance the performance of the team. In accordance with fans and experts, this signing will transform Delhi Capitals into a balanced and stronger team who will enhance their performance in the tournament. Rahul's potential to play in varied situations will certainly be the turning point for DC's season of IPL.

India has produced cricket with some of the best ODI batsmen ever, and the team currently playing is nothing short of legendary. With class, consistency, and power-hitting, the batting order has overwhelmed world cricket.

Shubman Gill - Number 1.
Rohit Sharma - Number 3.
Virat Kohli - Number 5.
Shreyas Iyer - Number 8.
KL Rahul - Number 16.

ONE OF THE GREATEST ODI BATTING UNIT EVER 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/5XGxtMB9fp

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 12, 2025

1. Shubman Gill – The Rising Star
Shubman Gill is now one of the finest young openers of international cricket. His elegant stroke play, attacking mindset, and unbelievable consistency make him a star player for India.

2. Rohit Sharma – The Hitman
At No. 3, Rohit Sharma is among the greatest ODI destroyers in history. With several double-hundreds in his credit, his capacity to accelerate innings and support the top order is unparalleled.

ALSO SEE: Sanju Samson Shares His Hardships Before The IPL 2025

3. Virat Kohli – The Chase Master
Virat Kohli, the No. 5, is the mainstay of India's ODI batting. His impeccable technique, hunger to run, and ability to chase down any target make him among the all-time great batsmen in cricketing history.

4. Shreyas Iyer – The Middle-Order Maestro
Sporting No. 8, Shreyas Iyer has brought stability and aggression to India's middle order. His strike rotation ability and acceleration at the appropriate time give huge value to the batting lineup. 

5. KL Rahul – The Trusty Finisher
Sporting No. 16, KL Rahul is India's utility batter who can adapt to any situation. If he opens or shuts shop, his calm demeanor and repertoire of shots make him a vital cog.

A Legendary ODI Batting Line-up
This line-up has the mix of youth and experience, aggression and composure, which makes it the all-time greatest ODI line-up. With their talent and sheer will, they have written themselves into the annals of cricketing history

KL Rahul have been the saviour for team India in most of the times, he has took up the job as finisher, a person who started his career as opener but due to over competition and the need of quick flow runs he was neglected for that and he used to be dropped from the team, though he averaged 40 above. It was quite tuff time for him but he grappled himself and changed his positions. 

After retirement of Ms Dhoni team India couldn't able to find a perfect finisher, though Pandya posses the fire power but the riability was on stake. Even though Rahul couldn't able to find a settled position which always disrupted him. 

Rishab Pant Injury Gateway For Rahul

Due to Rishab Pant massive road accident he had been out from team where Rahul got an opening to play as wicket keeper role where World Cup 2023 was around the corner and Rahul was given the role of wicket keeper and was tested in previous series, where he had a better run and the depth that he provides in the batting order gives the cution to go over all against the opponent. Rahul was selected in the World Cup squard. 

Read More: I am suprised By This Player Form Says Mohammad Kaif

It was all again for Kl Rahul who had a decent IPL. Rahul proved his worth in the World Cup where he scored 400 plus runs with one century and 2 half centuries. However, India wasn't able to win the World Cup in the final against Australia. Kudos to Travis Head who outplayed the Indian bowling attack. Soon after that Rahul stuck with an injury and was away from the team. Luckily the injury was not that serious and he was back in IPL but his team didn't perform well, and he was seen getting scolded by Sanjeev Goenka, which had mixed reviews on social media. 

Rahul Fun Banter With Sangena Ganesan

Rahul wasn't able to compete in the 2024 T20 world including Rinku, and Ishaan Kishan. India had a great outing in the 2024 World Cup where they won the cup for the second time before winning it in 2007 under the leadership of Ms Dhoni. Soon in the next assignment of Champions Trophy Rahul was selected over Rishab Pant. Rahul had a great tournament with bat and with glove too. India won the tournament by beating New Zealand by 4 wickets. 

Read more: I am suprised By This Player Form Says Mohammad Kaif

At the presentation area Rahul was caught up by host Sanjana Ganesan wife of Jasprit Bumrah asked how fun it was keeping wickets in the Champions Trophy that too against Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. In reply Rahul said not fun, Sanjana! I had to squat 200-250 times when these spinners were bowling, it's been a great feeling to contribute to the team and win the title for the team. Now Rahul is going to play for Delhi Capitals in the IPL