Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that Harry Brook pulling out of IPL 2025 is a major setback for Delhi Capitals (DC). With Harry Brook missing, KL Rahul now faces the challenge of stepping up and anchoring DC’s batting unit. Harry Brook was expected to be the team’s primary power hitter, and his absence leaves a significant gap in the batting lineup.
KL Rahul will have to take the responsibility- Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan highlighted the lack of big-hitting options in DC’s squad, and he stated ESPNcricinfo,
“Harry Brook’s absence does make the batting order a little light because of the lack of power-hitting options. Stubbs is the only one, and you can’t expect him to come good in every game,” said Harbhajan Singh.
The franchise acquired KL Rahul for ₹14 crore during the mega auction, hoping he would bring stability and experience to the squad. Harbhajan stressed that Rahul must take on greater responsibility, stating,
“KL Rahul might have to do what he always does. He will have to take the responsibility and score a lot of runs. They still need finishers – you can’t expect KL to be there in the second over and the last over. So that will be a challenge. Things are looking a little difficult,” he added.
KL Rahul had an impressive run in IPL 2024 while leading the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He scored 520 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.12. However, LSG failed to reach the playoffs despite his brilliance, leading to Rahul’s release from the franchise. Now, he will be expected to play a leadership role at DC, ensuring the team’s batting remains solid in Brook’s absence.
Will KL Rahul Adapt to a Middle-Order Role?
There has been speculation about whether KL Rahul will take on a middle-order role for DC, similar to his position in India’s ODI team. However, Harbhajan pointed out the fundamental differences between the two formats. He cautioned that excelling in ODIs does not necessarily translate to success in T20s.
“We’ll have to wait and watch. This is a different format. T20s and ODIs are completely different formats. You may say that in ODIs KL Rahul usually comes into bat with around 15 overs remaining. But, in those situations, you can afford to play some dot balls. In T20s, every dot ball is crucial and amps up the pressure on the batting team. The mindset will be different here,”
During the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rahul delivered crucial performances while batting at No. 6 for India, scoring 140 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 97.90. His ability to perform under pressure was evident, especially in the semifinal and final. However, replicating this in T20 cricket, where an aggressive approach is essential from the start, will be a different challenge altogether.
Can KL Rahul Fill the Void Left by Brook?
Delhi Capitals will need to rethink their batting strategy in IPL 2025. With Brook unavailable, the team must rely on KL Rahul to deliver consistently while addressing the need for strong finishers. KL Rahul though faced a lot of criticism for his leadership as well as batting performance while playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a result he wasn’t retained by the franchise. The Delhi Capitals’ (DC) franchise faces a challenging road ahead, but if KL Rahul rises, he could be the key to DC’s success this season.
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