Axar Patel Confirms KL Rahul's Return to Top Order for IPL 2026

Axar Patel, captain of the Delhi Capitals, has confirmed that KL Rahul will return to the top-order batting position for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Last season, Rahul was shifted to the middle order due to the team's composition, which featured two foreign top-order players.

Rahul's return as an opener is expected to bolster the Capitals' batting lineup. Patel emphasized Rahul's historical success in this role, suggesting it would facilitate easier starts in Twenty20 matches and reduce pressure on middle-order batsmen. The IPL is scheduled to begin on March 28, with Delhi Capitals set to face LSG in their first match on April 1 in Lucknow.

Rahul's statistics as an opener include over 4,000 runs, placing him among elite company such as Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Last season saw Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk initially opening for the Capitals, with Rahul returning to the opening position following changes in team performance dynamics. Despite failing to qualify for the playoffs, Rahul delivered several impressive innings.