Sanjay Manjrekar tears into KL Rahul after DC collapse vs CSK: ‘Signed death warrant for your team’

KL Rahul could only register 12 off 13 balls on Tuesday as Delhi Capitals fell to a defeat against Chennai Super Kings.

Published on: May 7, 2026, 07:00:03 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Sanjay Manjrekar didn't hold back as he made a brutal analysis of KL Rahul's batting approach after Delhi Capitals' eight-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday. DC put on a poor batting display, scoring 155/7 in 20 overs. CSK chased down the target with ease, reaching 159/2 in 17.3 overs.

KL Rahul walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal. (AFP)

After five overs, the DC star had registered 12 off 12 balls and then was dismissed in the first ball of the sixth. Receiving a tossed up delivery from Akeal Hosein, Rahul tried to go inside out over cover, but ended up slicing it in the air for Ruturaj Gaikwad to take a simple catch.

Also Read: Ricky Ponting left raging on live TV, nearly hurls mic after PBKS’ horror catching meltdown vs SRH: ‘It’s a virus’

‘Signed death warrant for your team’

Taking to Instagram, Manjrekar said, "It’s almost like odd and even games, where sometimes he goes after the bowling straightaway, which is the KL Rahul you want."

"But then he feels like he has earned the right and becomes responsible for the rest of the batters to come, and then plays an innings like that. Once you get out after getting to 12 off 12, you've signed the death warrant for your team. After those insipid first six overs, DC were done for the game.

"KL Rahul, after playing a brilliant innings in the previous match, got 12 off 12 balls in the first six overs. That’s two overs at a strike rate of 100. When you have openers going at 200, you can’t have an opener scoring 12 off 12 in the hope that he’ll explode later," he added.

Despite Manjrekar's criticism, Rahul has actually been in good form for this season and is currently third in the Orange Cap race. In IPL 2026, Rahul has managed 445 runs in 10 games at an average of 49.44 and has also been striking at 180.89. The DC player has also registered a ton and three half-centuries this season.

It wasn't just Rahul, who flopped vs CSK, it was also his other teammates. Rahul's opening partner, Pathum Nissanka, was dismissed for 19 runs off 15 balls. Meanwhile, skipper Axar Patel could only get two off six balls.

Speaking after the defeat, Axar said, "Obviously, the way the wicket was playing in the first innings, I felt that yes, 155 was a good score. But since we were playing with eight batters, I felt we were about 10-15 runs short."

Commenting on his side's batting form, he said, "Yes, obviously, considering our batting, I think that’s a positive. Even after losing five wickets, the way we finished at the end was good. So yes, that is a positive. But I feel in bowling, I missed my partner Kuldeep."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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