Former India pacer Atul Wassan has strongly rejected comparisons between KL Rahul’s current role for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 and Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary presence in the Indian team during the 1990s. Reacting sharply to such parallels, Wassan even quipped that he would walk out of the conversation if Rahul and Tendulkar were mentioned in the same breath.
“Don’t even talk about KL Rahul and Sachin Tendulkar in the same sentence—I’ll leave. TVs were turned off back in the day when Sachin got out. Are people seriously comparing that to KL Rahul now?” Wassan said on the Bails and Banter Show, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
While dismissing the comparison, Wassan still acknowledged Rahul’s strengths as a batter. “He doesn’t rely on brute force but trusts his technique. When he’s in rhythm, he can play even risky shots with great confidence,” he added.
KL Rahul has been a standout performer for DC this season, racking up 504 runs in 12 matches at an average of 56 and a strike rate nearing 149. The next-best batter for the franchise has been Abishek Porel, who has 301 runs at a modest average of just over 25.
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DC Miss Playoffs Despite Rahul’s Heroics
Despite Rahul’s consistency, Delhi Capitals failed to book a spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs. They began the season with a strong run of four consecutive wins but faltered in the latter half, losing six of their last eight completed games. Their recent 59-run loss to Mumbai Indians officially knocked them out of contention.
The Capitals have now missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, following a promising stretch from 2019 to 2021 when they made three consecutive playoff appearances. With no IPL title to their name across 18 seasons, DC will play their final league match for pride against Punjab Kings on Saturday, May 24, in Jaipur.
