Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lavished praise on KL Rahul ahead of IPL 2026. Pathan said Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs in every season. Rahul scored 539 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2025 at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 149.72.
The flamboyant batter has been a consistent performer in the IPL and has scored 5242 runs in 150 IPL matches at an average of 45.58 and a strike rate of 135.98.
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “KL Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs every season. He will always score runs and is capable of giving good starts consistently. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in this league. It’s just that we sometimes talk about his strike rate, but as long as you win the match, you don’t need to focus much on that.”
On the other hand, Pathan said Prithvi Shaw will be hungry to prove a point after going unsold in IPL 2025. Shaw was bagged at his base price of INR 75 lakhs by DC in the mini-auction.
“They got him at a very good price. He shifted to Maharashtra from Mumbai in domestic cricket. He was the highest run-scorer for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Yes, he didn’t score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but he seems to be in good form. I think those hungry players who went unsold last year always come with a point to prove. Prithvi Shaw will come to prove a point.”
The former all-rounder said Shaw should not put himself under pressure in IPL 2026.
“The hungry players who have gotten dropped are very excited, but along with that, they also put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform. This pressure always leads you towards failure.”
The 2007 T20 World Cup final hero wants DC to back Prithvi Shaw as KL Rahul’s opening partner ahead of Abishek Porel.
“They have the option of Abhishek Porel, who has performed really well whenever he has gotten chances. He has contributed with quick 20s and 30s so far. But I think they should go with Prithvi Shaw and give him clarity about his role,” he elaborated.
Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow on 1st April.
