Faf du Plessis’ inclusion in Delhi Capitals’ playing XI in IPL 2025 is more or less confirmed. The ex-RCB skipper was named vice-captain on Monday and will act as deputy to Axar Patel. This confirms that the Proteas batter will indeed open the innings along with the explosive Jake Fraser-McGurk in all likeliness. But this would mean that KL Rahul would be forced to bat either at number three or below, a role that he isn’t too familiar with in the IPL. But is it worth allowing Rahul to foray into a territory that he is unfamiliar with?
If du Plessis opens, where will Rahul bat?
The best position for KL Rahul to bat, if not as an opener, at is number 3 in IPL 2025. The Karnataka batter has played just 6 innings while batting at number 5 or below and hasn’t tasted much success there. The same is the story with him batting at number 3 as well. At that position, Rahul has played 6 innings in which he has managed to score 66 runs, averaging just 11. His highest score while batting at number 3 is 25.
| Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Average | Strike Rate |
| 2014-2015 | 6 | 66 | 25 | 11.00 | 85.71 |
The last time Rahul batted at number three was way back in 2015 when he was a part of SRH. In fact, that game against MI was the match in which he registered his highest score while batting at that position. While batting at number 5 or below, he has only managed to register a highest score of 30. While batting at 1 and 2, he has amassed 3191 and 992 runs respectively, averaging 53.18 and 38.15.
Why DC can afford to play Faf at number 3
Faf du Plessis, on the other hand, has functioned majorly as an opener in the IPL so far, be it with CSK or RCB. The South African, however, has played 7 innings while batting at number 3 and has a much better record compared to KL Rahul. He has 302 runs from 7 innings, averaging 50.33. On five out of these seven occasions, he has registered a 40+ score. However, his record as an opener is what stands out. In 111 matches that he has played at the top, du Plessis has amassed 3827 runs, averaging 37.37 and has 33 half-centuries to his name.
