Sanjay Bangar has hailed KL Rahul after the Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter produced a match-winning 75 off 40 balls in the seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday, May 1. Rahul’s knock stood out not just for its timing, but also for the intent he showed while chasing a massive target under pressure.

The former India batting coach said KL Rahul has made a noticeable shift in his batting approach during IPL 2026, moving toward a more aggressive and fearless style that suits the demands of modern cricket.

Sanjay Bangar pointed out that Rahul has clearly understood the need to evolve, especially in franchise cricket, where strike rate and game awareness matter just as much as consistency. He also noted that several top Indian batters, including Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, have adapted their games in a similar fashion.

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“Everyone has to follow this template. Shubman Gill has also shown that change, and it is visible in his game,” Sanjay Bangar said during a discussion on his YouTube channel. “If you play like this, only then can you survive in today’s cricket.”

Bangar further explained that Rahul’s transformation is not a one-match development, but the result of a clear understanding of what modern T20 cricket demands. In earlier seasons, he would occasionally play such innings, but now the Delhi Capitals batter has fully embraced this template. According to Bangar, that shift has made KL Rahul more relevant not only in the IPL, but also in India’s selection conversations for the format.

“There has definitely been a change, and it is clearly visible because he has understood that if you want to survive in modern cricket, especially franchise cricket like the IPL, you have to play this brand of cricket,” Sanjay Bangar observed. “He has adapted beautifully.”

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Rahul’s knock also took him to the top of the Orange Cap race. In nine matches, he has scored 433 runs at an average of 54.13 and a strike rate of 185.84, with three fifties and one century.

His partnership with Pathum Nissanka proved decisive as Delhi Capitals chased down 226 with seven wickets in hand and five balls to spare, keeping their playoff hopes alive in style.