KL Rahul redeems himself in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as a calm and composed finisher. How swiftly he has overcome the demons of CWC 2023?
KL Rahul has always been a player of incredible talent, but in high-pressure moments, doubts have often lingered over his ability to finish games. The 2023 ODI World Cup final was one such instance. Tasked with stabilising India’s innings after early blows, Rahul played a slow knock of 66 off 107 balls, which many felt cost India crucial runs. He was seen as one of the reasons for India’s below-par total of 240, a score that Australia chased quite comprehensively.
Fast forward to the Champions Trophy 2025, and Rahul emerged as India’s crisis man. Batting at No.6, after Axar Patel, he thrived under pressure. His performances in the knockout stages were a testament to his composure and ability to absorb pressure, making him one of India’s most valuable players in the tournament. He finished the Champion Trophy with 140 runs in 4 innings at an average of 140 and a strike rate of 97.
The Challenge of a New Role
Rahul’s shift to No.6 was a majorly tactical decision taken by the Indian team management, including skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. The right-hand batter was primarily an opener but later settled into the No.5 position when India needed a wicket-keeper batter who was consistent with the bat and played the situation. But to break the monotony of right-handers in the middle order, he was pushed to No.6, and he didn’t say a word. This required a complete shift in mindset, as he had to adjust to walking in during crunch moments, often with India in tricky situations and lower order batters on the crease.
“When we spoke about KL’s batting position, that is one thing we discussed quite deeply—how calm he is when he is batting. The pressure doesn’t get to him. We wanted that calmness in the middle somewhere,” said India captain Rohit Sharma.
Rahul himself admitted the challenge. “It requires a lot of preparation, a lot of work outside the cricket field. Just sitting and thinking about how I need to take each game and perform in different situations. I watched some of the players that I like and who bat at No.5-6 to understand how they’ve been successful previously. I’m happy that I’ve been able to perform.” Read More: Rohit, Virat redeem themselves in ODI format with CT 25 win
Knockout Specialist: Rahul’s Redemption
If the 2023 World Cup final exposed Rahul’s struggles under pressure, the 2025 Champions Trophy knockouts highlighted his transformation into a big-match player. With India chasing in four of their five matches in the tournament, Rahul stood tall when the team needed him the most, remaining not out in 3 of those games.
He played the 41-run knock vs Bangladesh in the Group Stage game and ensured India crossed the finish line in a tense chase. His 42 vs Australia in the semifinal was the testament to his ability to stabilize the innings in a tricky run chase, showing great composure while 34 vs New Zealand in the all-important final came in when India needed 69 runs at a little over run-a-ball and calmly finished the job.
Unlike in 2023, when he failed to switch gears at a crucial moment, this time, Rahul displayed a perfect balance of caution and aggression. He targeted his Bowlers and displayed incredible patience in waiting for the bad delivery. Reflecting on the final moments of the Champions Trophy final, he admitted, “I don’t think I can say this on camera, but I was s****ing myself at the end.” However, his body language told a different story—one of confidence, clarity, and composure.
Rahul vs Pant: Winning the Battle for No.6
With Rishabh Pant also vying for a middle-order role, Rahul knew he had to prove why he was the right choice for the finisher’s job. While Pant is known for his explosive batting, Rahul’s strength lies in his adaptability and game awareness. His ability to handle pressure was a key factor in India’s success.
“I’ve been taught from a very early age that cricket is a team game. Whatever the team requires, you need to be able to do that. You need to be able to accept that first and then find a way to put in performances,” Rahul said.
This team-first mindset, combined with his technical soundness, made him India’s go-to batter in crunch situations. Read More: Shreyas Iyer in a 'zone of his own' in ODIs: The story of him owning up the no. 4 spot
Beyond Batting: The Cricketing Acumen of KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s impact wasn’t limited to his batting. His sharp cricketing brain was evident in his decision-making as a wicketkeeper. His judgment of DRS calls was often spot on, reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s famed decision-making behind the stumps.
In the final, for instance, he advised Rohit Sharma against reviewing an lbw appeal against Tom Latham, rightly pointing out that Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery was too high. Such awareness adds another layer to Rahul’s importance in the squad.
“Most of the time, it’s an instinctive call. The bowler always feels that every ball is out, which takes out five seconds. In the next 10, we have to make a decision, and so many people rush in. The hardest thing is to not listen to 4-5 people giving their views and just tune that out,” Rahul explained.
From Criticism to Redemption: A Complete Turnaround
A year ago, Rahul was criticized for his slow innings in the World Cup final, where he struggled to accelerate when India needed quick runs. Today, he is India’s ultimate finisher in ODI cricket, proving his ability to soak in pressure and deliver when it matters the most.
The 2023 final may have been a nightmare for Rahul, but the 2025 Champions Trophy proved to be his redemption story. From being one of the “culprits” for India’s loss to becoming the anchor in their title-winning campaign, KL Rahul’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in his abilities.
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