In a surprising development during today’s IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, KL Rahul, known for his consistent role as wicketkeeper-batter, is not donning the gloves. Instead, Abishek Porel has been handed the wicketkeeping duties — a rare sight considering Porel usually features as an impact substitute for his batting role.
KL Rahul is neither serving as captain nor wicketkeeper — with Axar Patel leading the side and Porel named as the primary wicketkeeper in the playing XI. Despite this shift, Rahul remains on the field and is not listed as an impact substitute, ruling out any tactical subbing in for a batting-only role.
Two major interpretations emerge:
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Delhi Capitals could be grooming Abishek Porel as a long-term wicketkeeper-batter, giving him match-time responsibilities ahead of future seasons.
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There may be a fitness or precautionary concern regarding KL Rahul’s keeping duties, possibly a lingering niggle that restricts his movement behind the stumps — although he remains fit enough to field and bat.
This decision raises eyebrows since KL Rahul has consistently played the full match as a keeper-batter, and any sudden change mid-tournament might hint at a new strategy or undisclosed minor injury concern. However, with no official word yet from the franchise, fans and analysts are left speculating.
Match context:
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Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to field first.
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Abishek Porel has been listed as the designated wicketkeeper.
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KL Rahul is playing as a specialist batter and is seen fielding.
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No substitution has been made involving Rahul, nor is he in the impact subs list.
Playing XIs:
Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wk), Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mukesh Kumar
Impact Subs: Ashutosh Sharma, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tripurana Vijay, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira
This may well be an early indicator of a shift in Delhi’s long-term strategy — or a game-to-game call based on physical load management.
