Credit: IPL
Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen is all in on KL Rahul for India’s No. 4 spot in T20Is, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup coming up. He’s been really impressed with how Rahul has changed his game lately not just the runs, but the way he’s batting with more intent and positivity.
Rahul’s been in top form since joining Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore ahead of IPL 2025. In just eight matches, he’s scored 364 runs, averaging over 60 and striking at nearly 150. He’s already notched up three fifties.
Even though his 41 off 39 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru last night didn’t quite help Delhi post a competitive total, Pietersen isn’t too bothered about that. What stood out to him was Rahul’s mindset, the purpose with which he played and he thinks that’s exactly what the Indian team needs right now.
“I’d bat KL at four for India in T20 cricket, I think you guys have got plenty of opening batters, you’ve got Surya who bats at the top, you’ve got all of these guys but the way that KL Rahul is playing cricket now, he would be my first choice to bat at four and keep wicket for India. “KL has been playing in a very positive manner since late last year, mid to late last year. We saw how he finished off a couple of the games for India and almost sealed the deal in the Champions Trophy in Dubai,” Pietersen said in the post-match press conference on Sunday, April 27.
