‘I now realise T20 cricket’s changed’: KL Rahul’s impresses mentor Kevin Pietersen with ‘intent’, credits Abhishek Nayar for improving white-ball game | Ipl News
“Watching KL Rahul bat in the Powerplays is the most boring thing I have ever been through.”
Back in 2023, former England batter Kevin Pietersen had this to describe the India batter’s approach to T20 batting with Lucknow Super Giants on commentary. However, it is a rejuvenated Rahul that has been on display in white-ball cricket this year, starting with India’s Champions Trophy series and now the IPL 2025 season, where the 32-year-old has started his Delhi Capitals stint with a flourish.
Pietersen, now a mentor for Rahul at DC, is impressed with the Karnataka batter’s change of guard and mindset, which was evident during his match-winning 77 off 51 balls on a tacky Chepauk pitch against the Chennai Super Kings on a scorching Saturday afternoon. Rahul’s knock would help DC set a hefty 183 for six batting first before the bowlers restricted CSK for a 25-run win.
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Talking post-match, Pietersen lauded Rahul’s intent and said: “Your intent in Vizag, you struck at 300 and I was happy with you. Today, striking at 150, still on a different wicket…you must be absolutely buzzing that you’re able to adapt your style to the modern-day game.”
Abhishek Nayar effect
Rahul admitted noticing the difference in his game and moving on from his ‘strike-rate his overrated’ days in the format, crediting current India assant coach Abhishek Nayar for the renewed mindset.
“I’ve worked really hard on my white ball game in the last year or so. Big shout out to Abhishek Nayar. I’ve worked a lot with him ever since he’s come into the Indian team. We’ve spent hours and hours together talking about my white ball game and how I can be better. We’ve worked hours and hours together in Bombay, and I think somewhere I’ve found the fun in playing white ball cricket.
“I think somewhere along the way I lost the fun of hitting boundaries and hitting sixes. I wanted to take the game deep, deep, deep, and that somehow stuck in my head. But now I’ve realised that I need to go back,” Rahul said on a video shared the IPL.Story continues below this ad
‘T20 cricket’s changed
Rahul observes the gung-ho trend of the format and the absolute necessity of boundaries. “Cricket’s changed and 820 cricket especially is only about hitting boundaries. The team that hits more boundaries or sixes ends up winning the game. So, back to enjoying my cricket.
“I’m not thinking too much about the game. Not thinking about taking it deep or none of that stuff. Just see ball and try and be aggressive. Try and put the pressure on the bowler and the opposition and just enjoy hitting boundaries,” he added.
