April 11, 2025:Mark Boucher, the former South African cricketer and JioStar expert, has praised KL Rahul’s match-winning knock for Delhi Capitals (DC) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025. Rahul’s composed and calculated 93 off 53 balls played a key role in guiding DC to their fourth win of the season, despite a challenging chase that saw RCB threaten to pull back into the game.
Speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, Boucher stated that Rahul’s innings was even more impressive than his recent “masterclass” against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk. He highlighted the pressure Rahul was under with early wickets falling around him and the mounting required run rate. Boucher described it as a “tricky chase” and commended Rahul for his calmness in leading his team to victory.
“This was a tricky chase—there was nothing easy about that win,” Boucher remarked. “KL Rahul came in under serious pressure, with wickets falling around him and a high run rate to chase. He played a masterclass in Chennai the other night, but this innings was even better, especially in these conditions. He’s looking in great form, and the celebration at the end showed how much this knock meant to him.”
Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron, also a JioStar expert, pointed out the emotional significance of the knock, considering that Rahul is from Bengaluru, where he had previously played for RCB. Aaron suggested that the fact RCB did not retain Rahul might have fueled his desire to prove himself against his former team at their home ground.
“This is his home ground—it means a lot to him,” Aaron commented. “He is from Bengaluru, and he was born and brought up here. He has been moved around the batting order a lot, but something clearly fired him up tonight to take this win home. Maybe it’s the fact that Royal Challengers Bengaluru didn’t retain him. I know he loved playing for them. Now, playing for Delhi, he is showing the RCB and Bengaluru fans that this is still his stadium—his arena.”
Rahul has an outstanding record against RCB, a team he represented during the 2013 and 2016 IPL seasons. He has scored 741 runs in 17 matches against them, averaging 74.10 with a strike rate of 147.31, including a century and four fifties, with a best score of 132*.