Starting off lower down the lineup, KL Rahul still found rhythm during IPL 2025. Over thirteen games, he collected five hundred thirty nine runs, pushing ahead at nearly one fifty on the strike meter. At first, opening duties went to Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhisek Porel, leaving space in the middle for Rahul. He seemed fine there – calm, settled. Then things shifted: Fraser-McGurk struggled badly, while Faf du Plessis got hurt. Suddenly, Rahul climbed back up front. Form never wavered though. Right through the change, he kept scoring just the same

Still, without a stable setup nearby, the batting order never quite found its footing. Each shift forced players to rethink their roles, making it hard to settle into rhythm. Uncertainty spread through the group, showing in unreliable outings across matches. In the end, Delhi missed the postseason again, just like the season before

Out on the edge, it makes sense to let Rahul open – that’s what Kaif sees clear. The numbers back him up, plus how he’s lifted his game lately tells its own story. Sticking with change feels unnecessary when the pieces already fit. Why shake things loose if they’re holding firm? That quiet confidence builds from knowing what works.

“I think he will open, and he should open only. He has a fabulous record as an opener. If we talk about the last three or four years, his graph, when it comes to strike rate, has gone up a lot. I feel they shouldn’t get confused,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Only when players know exactly what they need to do can their best qualities show up. Putting Rahul in spots he does not usually play – like lower down the batting order – has not worked well, Kaif pointed out. A clear job description helps him perform better. The entire team gains structure once one piece fits properly.

Here lies the issue: KL Rahul gets pushed into batting at number four or wrapping up innings. Playing freely suits him best when he opens. This season brings David Miller alongside Tristan Stubbs too. Take strike from the front, trust your strokes, settle into rhythm early. Position matters less than playing naturally. Last year, his batting took a huge turn. During the power play, things got better – sometimes he carried entire games on his own, Kaif noted.

kaif says david miller joins team

Now that David Miller is part of the setup, reactions have been positive. Kaif pointed out how his seasoned play and sharp closing skills add weight further down the lineup. With Tristan Stubbs around, having Miller boosts what the team can do when batting deep into the innings.

David Miller makes all the difference here. On that Delhi track, expect him stepping in around number five or six – right when his rhythm peaks. Their plan shows clear intent: pack the lineup with top-order batters while slotting him right into the middle. One move sharpens depth, the other adds punch where it matters most. Faster bowlers are part of the mix now, though spinners carried them before. A fair bit more balance shows up this time around, Kaif pointed out – different from how things stood a season ago.