He is the most secure financial institution to attain 500 runs each season

Irfan Pathan reserved massive praise for Delhi Capitals (DC) star KL Rahul ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). He highlighted how the right-handed batter has shown great consistency in the tournament over the years.

The former all-rounder hailed Rahul as the ‘safest bank’ that gives over 500 runs year after year. It is worth noting that the wicketkeeper-batter has crossed the 500-run mark in six seasons. He is only behind Virat Kohli, who has achieved the feat eight times.

Lauding Rahul’s consistency, Irfan remarked in his latest YouTube video:

“KL Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs every season. He will always score runs and is capable of giving good starts consistently. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in this league. It’s just that we sometimes talk about his strike rate, but as long as you win the match, you don’t need to focus much on that.”

Rahul was DC’s standout batter in IPL 2025. He chalked up 539 runs across 13 outings at a strike rate of 149.72. His tally included one century and three fifties.

“Will come to prove a point” – Irfan Pathan picks KL Rahul’s opening partner for IPL 2026

Irfan Pathan also commented on DC roping in Indian opener Prithvi Shaw at his base price of ₹75 lakh during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He suggested that the 26-year-old would be hungry for redemption after remaining unsold in the previous edition.

The cricketer-turned-commentator remarked in the same video:

“They got him at a very good price. He shifted to Maharashtra from Mumbai in domestic cricket. He was the highest run-scorer for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Yes, he didn’t score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but he seems to be in good form. I think those hungry players who went unsold last year always come with a point to prove. Prithvi Shaw will come to prove a point.”

He, however, urged Shaw not to put himself under a lot of pressure to do well, adding:

“The hungry players who have gotten dropped are very excited, but along with that, they also put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform. This pressure always leads you towards failure.”

Irfan urged the DC team management to back Shaw as KL Rahul’s opening partner over Abhishek Porel for IPL 2026.

“They have the option of Abhishek Porel, who has performed really well whenever he has gotten chances. He has contributed with quick 20s and 30s so far. But I think they should go with Prithvi Shaw and give him clarity about his role,” he elaborated.

The Axar Patel-led DC are set to take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Wednesday, April 1.