Kevin Pietersen Backs KL Rahul for India’s No. 4 Spot and Wicket-Keeping Role in T20s

Delhi Capitals (DC) mentor Kevin Pietersen is pleased with how KL Rahul has approached his innings in the ongoing IPL 2025. Rahul is currently the leading run-scorer for DC in the tournament. Given Rahul’s strong form, Pietersen believes he should make a return to India’s T20I squad. He envisions Rahul playing as a wicketkeeper-batter and batting at number 4 rather than his traditional opening position.

"I'd bat KL at four for India in T20 cricket. I think you guys have plenty of opening batters Surya, who bats at the top, and all these other guys. But the way KL Rahul is playing cricket now, he would be my first choice to bat at four and keep wicket for India," Pietersen said in a press conference after DC's six-wicket loss to RCB on April 27.

KL Rahul hasn't played a T20I since India's exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinals, where he faced criticism for his strike rate as an opener. Rahul has batted at number 4 in T20Is only four times. In those four innings, he scored 174 runs, including an unbeaten 110 against West Indies during a high-scoring chase in 2016, although India fell short in that match.

Pietersen Praises KL Rahul’s Evolution in Modern Cricket

"KL has been playing really positively since mid to late last year," Pietersen said. "We saw how he finished a few games for India and nearly sealed the deal in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. I’ve had some really deep and meaningful conversations with him about batting. When you grow up learning to play a defensive game, focusing on technique with the elbow up and playing in the V, and then suddenly, in your thirties, you have to change your approach and become a different kind of player for a constantly evolving format it’s not easy.

"But the way he’s embraced this change and transformed his game is truly commendable. It speaks volumes about the kind of person he is. He’s so positive in everything his practice, his training, his mindset and the way he talks about the game. That’s KL," Pietersen added.

RCB moved to the top of the points table with their seventh win from 10 games, while DC is currently in fourth place with six wins from nine games. DC's next match will be against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home on April 29.