Champions Trophy: KL Rahul Excels In Middle Order: Adapting And Delivering For India

March 5, 2025: KL Rahul’s journey in the ODI middle-order has been nothing short of impressive. Since taking up the number 5 spot in 2020, Rahul has consistently delivered, averaging 61.52 in that position, a remarkable feat considering the high standards in modern-day cricket. However, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India decided to introduce more variety to their lineup, promoting Axar Patel to No. 5 and shifting Rahul down to No. 6.

Although the change initially posed a challenge, Rahul has adapted seamlessly to his new role, especially with his focus on power-hitting. "I do enjoy batting at the top, I won’t lie," Rahul shared with Star Sports, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "But after opening the batting in Australia in Test matches, facing their attack, coming here and batting lower does feel different," he added. Despite this, Rahul's ability to move up and down the order has made him a key asset for India in various formats.

The debate around whether Rahul or Rishabh Pant should be the wicketkeeper-batter had lingered before the tournament. However, the team continued to back Rahul in this role. In India’s semifinal match against Australia, Rahul played a crucial knock of 42* off 34 balls. With India needing 86 runs from 15 overs and six wickets remaining, he led the chase alongside Virat Kohli. Despite the challenging Dubai pitch, which slowed down and made run-scoring difficult, Rahul’s calculated aggression saw him hit boundaries off Tanveer Sangha, Ben Dwarshuis, and Adam Zampa, keeping India in the game.

Reflecting on the role shuffle, Rahul said, "Since 2020, I've been batting at No. 5. Every time I perform, people forget, and there are questions about where I fit when we come back to ODI cricket after a gap. But every role I’ve been asked to play, I’ve done to the best of my ability."

When India’s chase seemed precarious, with Kohli’s dismissal and Hardik Pandya’s quick departure, Rahul stayed calm and guided the team to the final. "I told Virat, 'you stay there, you’re the set batter; let me try and take one chance an over.' He agreed, and I tried to take calculated risks to finish the game."

Rahul’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja saw India reach their target, securing a spot in the Champions Trophy final. Rahul’s role in steering the team through difficult phases reflects his maturity and adaptability, cementing his place as a pivotal player for India in limited-overs cricket.

This adaptability, along with his consistent performances under pressure, has made KL Rahul one of the most reliable middle-order batters in world cricket today.