IPL 2025: KL Rahul doubtful for MI vs DC clash due to knee injury

Delhi Capitals might miss out on their star batter KL Rahul for their must-win clash against Mumbai Indians, citing a knee injury suffered during a training session on Tuesday, May 20. The right-hander, who has been in sensational form throughout IPL 2025, left the nets midway after being hit on the knee by a delivery from Mukesh Kumar. With no official update on his fitness, Rahul’s availability for the game at Wankhede Stadium on May 21 is uncertain.

Rahul has so far scored 438 runs in 11 matches at a fantastic average of 61.63 and a strike rate of 148.05. He even smashed a century in DC’s previous match against the Gujarat Titans. However, during Tuesday's training, a delivery from Mukesh hit Rahul on the right knee, forcing him to seek medical attention and leave the practice session on the eve of the crucial encounter mid-way.

Meanwhile, with 13 points from 12 games, the Capitals must win both their remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians sit fourth with 14 points and a better net run rate. The upcoming match is a virtual knockout for both teams.

If KL Rahul fails to recover in time, DC are likely to bring back Karun Nair into the XI. Nair, who had hammered 89 off 40 balls against Mumbai earlier in the season, has struggled in subsequent games, managing only 64 runs in six innings. Still, his past performance against MI might earn him a recall, potentially as an opener. The Capitals will not have to worry about wicketkeeping duties, though, as Abishek Porel has taken over those responsibilities in recent games.

Notably, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, with heavy rains and thunderstorms expected over the next few days. If rain washes out the game, both teams will share points, complicating playoff scenarios further.