Former England star Kevin Pietersen, now a mentor for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025, has spoken candidly about his evolving rapport with Indian batter KL Rahul, a dynamic that has stirred plenty of curiosity since their much-publicised online spat.
The friction dates back to an old tweet in which Pietersen had criticised Rahul’s batting approach and his mid-season vacation to the Maldives. While the tweet sparked heated reactions at the time, the present story is quite different.
Over time, Pietersen has grown to admire Rahul’s batting prowess and his recent statements reflect a notable shift in tone. According to the former England cricketer, Rahul has done more than enough this season to be in contention for a return to India’s national T20 side. As of now, Rahul is Delhi Capitals’ leading run-getter in the tournament, amassing 371 runs across nine matches at an impressive average of 53.
Appearing together at a recent event, the camaraderie between the two was on display, with Pietersen joking about the ongoing effort to repair their relationship. He acknowledged their rocky past, one the Internet has had plenty of fun with, but insisted that things are improving steadily. Sharing the stage with Rahul, who was smiling throughout, Pietersen quipped that the bond was “getting better” and joked that by the end of the season, they might even become friends.
Their dynamic in the Delhi Capitals camp has become a talking point, with Rahul often playfully teasing Pietersen over that infamous tweet in which watching him bat was compared to watching paint dry. But on the field, Rahul’s performances have spoken volumes. Building on his strong 2024 IPL showing with Lucknow Super Giants, where he scored 520 runs and finished seventh in the Orange Cap race, Rahul has continued to shine this season with three half-centuries, including a masterful unbeaten 93 off 53 balls that sealed victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Kevin Pietersen, clearly impressed, praised Rahul for his more aggressive and confident approach to T20 batting, which he believes began showing from mid-to-late last year. He recalled how Rahul had delivered clutch performances for India, including finishing crucial games and nearly securing a title win at the Champions Trophy in Dubai.
What stands out in Pietersen’s view is Rahul’s evolution as a cricketer. He shared that the two have had deep, insightful conversations about batting and the challenges of adapting across formats. For someone raised in a classical mould, focusing on textbook defence and playing in the ‘V’, Rahul’s transformation into a modern, dynamic T20 player in his thirties is something Pietersen finds admirable and technically impressive.
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Delhi Capitals’ next clash is set against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 5 and all eyes will be on Rahul to continue his stellar form, not just as a batter but as part of a mentorship journey that seems to be turning friction into friendship.
