![Why KL Rahul didn't open [Source: AP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1744560875733_India_IPL_Cricket_25100633258723.jpg?type=mq)
Why KL Rahul didn't open [Source: AP Photo]
With no Faf du Plessis in the playing XI due to an injury, it was expected that KL Rahul, the man in form will open for the Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 match. However, eyebrows were raised when he decided to stay back and Abhisek Porel and Jake Fraser-McGurk decided to come out in the middle.
Many believed that KL Rahul has a terrific record against MI and should have opened in a big chase, but here are two possible reasons as to why he decided to stay back.
1) Has done well in the middle-order
KL Rahul has been outstanding for DC in the middle order and against CSK and RCB, he showed his class and scored vital fifties to steer his team past the winning line.
| Criterion | Data |
| Matches | 4 |
| Runs | 185 |
| Strike-rate | 169.72 |
| 50s | 2 |
As the numbers suggests, he has been extraordinary in the middle order and this is one big reason why Axar Patel and the DC management wanted their most in-form batter to bat at his usual spot.
2) DC wanted to have lefty-right combination
In Abhisek Porel and Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC had a lefty-righty combination and that is why KL Rahul was held back. A lefty-righty combo disrupts the bowling attack and makes their job a lot difficult. Hence, to rattle the Mumbai Indians bowlers, DC decided to send in a lefty (Porel) alongside Fraser-McGurk.
However, the move didn't work as the Aussie batter was dismissed on the first ball of the innings for a golden duck.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
