Shane Watson lauds KL Rahul’s composed 57* and Axar Patel’s impactful leadership as Delhi Capitals cruise past LSG; questions Pant’s captaincy spark.
New Delhi, April 23:
Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson heaped praise on KL Rahul for his stellar knock in Delhi Capitals’ commanding 8-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday. Speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, Watson applauded Rahul’s composure and adaptability, calling it one of the most controlled innings of the tournament.
“KL Rahul did what he does best. He didn’t need to take any undue risks—just picked his moments and stayed composed,” Watson said. “He’s been aggressive earlier in the tournament, but this time he played a steady hand. That flexibility adds immense value to the Delhi Capitals.”
Rahul, facing his former team at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, delivered a record-breaking unbeaten 57 off 51 balls, becoming the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in IPL history. His knock, alongside Abhishek Porel’s gritty 51, ensured a smooth chase of LSG’s 160-run target.
Praise for Axar, Subtle Swipe at Pant
Watson also drew attention to Axar Patel’s intent and leadership, contrasting it with LSG captain Rishabh Pant’s underwhelming presence.
“The pitch certainly got better to bat on, but Axar’s aggressive intent from the first ball stood out,” Watson noted. “He bowled his full quota, led by example, and truly wanted to make a difference. That’s something we haven’t quite seen yet from Pant this season.”
While Axar contributed with both bat and ball, Watson hinted that Pant—despite his stature—has yet to fully embrace the captain’s mantle in high-pressure moments.
DC Climb Up the Table
With this win, Delhi Capitals moved level on points with Gujarat Titans, consolidating their playoff push in the IPL 2025 standings. The victory was defined not only by individual brilliance but also by strategic clarity from the leadership duo of Rahul and Axar.
As KL Rahul continues to rack up milestones with a cool head and Axar Patel leads with purpose, Delhi Capitals seem to have rediscovered their rhythm—while questions linger around Rishabh Pant’s role and form in LSG’s campaign.