During India’s net sessions leading up to the 2025 Champions Trophy, KL Rahul had been meticulously perfecting a shot that left everyone puzzled. No, it wasn’t the textbook cover drive or the elegant flick. It was the audacious scoop and reverse-scoop—a stroke that seemed out of character for the traditionally classical Rahul. Yet, during the tournament, he kept it under wraps, only to unleash it in spectacular fashion during the IPL against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
On that fateful evening at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Rahul delivered a masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 93 off just 53 balls. This wasn’t the Rahul of old, who had struggled with modest strike rates of 136.13 and 113.22 in the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons. This was Rahul 2.0—a batter reborn with a newfound aggression and intent.
Despite his explosive finish, Rahul’s innings was a calculated masterpiece. At the end of the 11th over, he was simmering at 29 off 29 deliveries, with Delhi Capitals needing 164 for victory. Many might have written him off as the same old accumulator, but Rahul had other plans. The pitch, far from the usual batting paradise of Chinnaswamy, demanded adaptability, and Rahul adjusted brilliantly.
“On a wicket like this, I knew my strengths and where to target,” Rahul explained post-match. “Keeping wicket helped me understand the conditions better—where batters were getting dismissed and where they were finding success. Those cues from behind the stumps were invaluable.”
As the required run rate climbed to nearly 11 an over, Rahul shifted gears in dramatic fashion. He launched Krunal Pandya into the stands with a monstrous slog-sweep, followed by a blistering four and six off Liam Livingstone. Against Josh Hazlewood, he showcased his versatility, finding gaps with precision. And then came the pièce de résistance—a reverse-scoop off Yash Dayal that left the crowd in awe.
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What stood out in Rahul’s innings was his impeccable shot selection and balance. Rarely did he lose his shape, and his ability to use the depth of the crease to manipulate the bowlers was a masterstroke. He played classical shots in the ‘V’ and waited patiently for the ball, especially on a slightly tacky surface. Notably, 19 of his runs came from the pull shot, a testament to his adaptability.
The slog-sweep, the lofted drives, the shuffle across the crease to hammer it over deep square leg, and that unforgettable reverse-scoop—these strokes painted the picture of a transformed Rahul. Days earlier, after a fiery 51-ball 77 against CSK, he had hinted at this evolution. “I’ve worked tirelessly on my white-ball game,” he said. “Big credit to Abhishek Nayar. We’ve spent hours discussing how to elevate my T20 batting. Cricket has evolved, Boundaries and sixes win games now.”
This marked a significant shift in mindset from Rahul, who once famously dismissed strike rate as “overrated”—a statement that had drawn criticism. But with performances like this, the criticism is turning into admiration. If Rahul continues to play with this fearless approach, his legacy will be defined not just by classical elegance but by the audacity and flair of the modern T20 game. And as he guided DC to victory at his old stomping ground, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the cricketing world witnessed the birth of a new Rahul.
