Delhi Capitals have confirmed that KL Rahul will open the innings for the franchise in IPL 2026. Head coach Hemang Badani and director of cricket Venugopal Rao announced during the team’s pre-tournament press conference on Monday.
The decision aims to fix Delhi’s top order instability after the franchise used seven different opening combinations in IPL 2025. DC begins their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1.
Why Did Delhi Capitals Struggle at the Top Last Season
Delhi’s opening woes defined much of their IPL 2025 campaign. The franchise made 13 changes at the top of the order across the season, cycling through multiple partnerships. Fraser McGurk’s poor form forced early changes, and the constant reshuffling left the middle order under consistent pressure.
Delhi Capitals used these seven opening combinations in IPL 2025:
- Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser McGurk
- Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul
- Abishek Porel and Karun Nair
- Abishek Porel and Jake Fraser McGurk
- Faf du Plessis and Abishek Porel
- KL Rahul and Jake Fraser McGurk
- Faf du Plessis and Karun Nair
Badani acknowledged this problem directly. He stressed that opening partnerships have become a game-changing factor in T20 cricket over the last two years. As a result, DC will commit to Rahul at the top and build stability around him this season.
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How Has KL Rahul’s Form Improved Heading Into IPL 2026
Rahul joined Delhi after Lucknow Super Giants released him following IPL 2024. He initially batted in the middle order but gradually moved up to the top three last season. Over the past 18 months, Rahul has worked specifically on his power-hitting game. In IPL 2025, he scored 539 runs at a strike rate of 150, his best since IPL 2022, when he crossed 600 runs but at a slower pace.
His improved attacking approach gives DC a more dynamic option at the top of the order. However, the franchise still needs to finalise its opening partner. Pathum Nissanka, Abishek Porel, and Prithvi Shaw are the main candidates competing for the spot alongside Rahul.
