Despite Delhi Capitals falling short against Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring IPL 2025 clash, KL Rahul’s unbeaten 112 off 65 balls caught the attention of former Australia cricketer and coach Tom Moody.
Rahul, often under scrutiny for his strike rate in T20 cricket, delivered one of his most impactful innings of the season. While DC posted a competitive 199/3, the team couldn’t defend the total as Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill chased it down with ease.
‘Rahul Deserves More Credit’ – Moody
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, Tom Moody expressed disbelief over the ongoing criticism of KL Rahul.
“I always find the criticism around KL Rahul quite extraordinary. He’s a lot better player than people give him credit for.”
Moody praised the knock as “outstanding,” especially considering Rahul’s strike rate of 172.30 in the game and his overall IPL 2025 strike rate of 148.04—his best since 2018.
He highlighted that the real issue was not Rahul’s pace, but the lack of impact from other batters in the middle order who didn’t accelerate enough to push DC beyond 220.
Missed Opportunities and Lost Momentum
At the 10-over mark, DC were well-placed at 81/1, with Rahul on 56 off 38 balls. But between overs 15 and 18, he faced only six deliveries, while Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs absorbed most of the strike.
“He lost rhythm during that middle phase,” Moody explained. “This isn’t an individual sport—it’s a team game. The momentum was lost when it mattered most.”
Moody also pointed to a lack of clear communication during the innings regarding strike rotation and boundary targeting, which cost DC crucial runs in the death overs.
Rahul’s Numbers Tell a Different Story
With 493 runs in 12 innings so far in IPL 2025, Rahul has not only been consistent but also more aggressive than in recent seasons, silencing many of his critics with numbers.
Moody’s comments reinforce the idea that Rahul’s role often balances the team structure, and criticism should shift toward middle-order execution in pressure moments—not the anchor who sets the platform.
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