Delhi Capitals KL Rahul celebrates after hitting the winning run against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Screengrabs)

After hitting the winning run against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Delhi Capitals batter KL Rahul dug his bat into the ground like a sword, marked his territory, pointed to his badge and said “Ye mera ground hai (This is my ground).”
“This is my ground, my home, know this (ground) better than anyone else,” he said at the post-match presentation.
On Thursday night, KL Rahul scored a measured 93 not out to guide Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing a modest 164, Delhi Capitals stuttered at the start but Rahul’s composed knock from 53 balls with six sixes and seven fours did the job for his side.
Rahul’s innings was a prime example of risk management as he started at a slower tempo before shifting the gears seamlessly.
“It was a slightly tricky wicket but what helped me was being behind the stumps for 20 overs, watching how the wicket played. The ball sat in the wicket but it was consistent throughout, it was one-paced.
“I knew what my shots are, wanted to get off to a good start, and then assess it accordingly. It depends on the conditions and the ground and the dimensions. On a wicket like this, I knew what my pockets were.
“If I wanted to hit a big six, I knew what pockets to target, and keeping gave me a feeler for where other batters were dismissed and where they hit the sixes. Got lucky with the dropped catch.”
Rahul acknowledged it was a tricky pitch but he always experiment during the practice.
“Something I have always done with my preparation is that I always try to adapt to different wickets (even in practice).
“I experiment in practice, get out a couple of times but it gives me a fair idea of the areas I can target – where I can take singles, where I can hit sixes.
“I don’t keep batting for hours and hours and keep slogging. I do that sometimes but that is when I am not getting into a flow and rhythm. It is more about how I can master playing (on a particular pitch) and that becomes second-nature.”
Delhi Capitals are unbeaten in the tournament and are currently placed at top of the points table.