Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t mince his words when sharing his thoughts on KL Rahul’s approach during Delhi Capitals’ recent clash against Rajasthan Royals. While Delhi eventually clinched a thrilling win via the Super Over, Pujara believes that Rahul’s cautious batting in the middle overs could’ve cost them dearly had it not been for the late flourish.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Pujara pointed out that Rahul, despite being a senior figure in the lineup, seemed more focused on preserving his wicket than capitalizing on his start. “KL, being an experienced campaigner, looked like he wanted to settle in for 15-20 balls and then go big. But once you’re set and understand the conditions, you have to switch gears. He had the opportunity,” Pujara noted.

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With Rahul now operating at No. 4, Pujara stressed that the expectations are different. “He’s probably adjusting to the new role, which is understandable. But that phase after the powerplay is crucial. You can’t just look to survive—you’ve got to impose yourself. At times, it felt like KL was more concerned about not getting out rather than playing freely.”

Rahul, who managed 38 off 32 balls before falling to Jofra Archer, had a similar outing in the previous game against Mumbai Indians where he made 15 off 13. While he’s provided stability, the acceleration has often been missing. That said, Rahul did hold his nerve when it mattered most—in the Super Over. Partnering with Tristan Stubbs, he helped DC chase 12 runs in four balls, sealing their first home win of the season.

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Earlier in the innings, Abishek Porel and Rahul stitched together a steady 63-run partnership that set up the platform. The late fireworks came from Axar Patel, whose 34 off just 13 balls, and Stubbs, who finished unbeaten on 34 off 18, pushed Delhi to 188/5.

While Rahul’s innings had its share of calm and class, Pujara’s observations serve as a timely reminder: stability is vital, but intent is everything in the middle overs. With the Gujarat Titans up next on April 19 in Ahmedabad, all eyes will be on Rahul to strike the right balance.