New Delhi: Former India all-rounder Irrfan Pathan Ahead of IPL 2026, he threw his weight behind Delhi Capitals’ bold opening combination, backing Prithvi Shaw With an always reliable partner Kuala Lumpur Rahul at the top.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan hailed Rahul as a reliable match-winner, calling him the “safest bank” in the league. “KL Rahul is the safest bank to score 500 runs every season. He always scores runs and is able to get off to good starts consistently. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in this league,” Pathan said, brushing aside criticism over the strike rate. “It’s just that we sometimes talk about his shooting percentage, but as long as you’re winning games, you don’t need to focus too much on that,” he added.
Shaw backs rallyHowever, Pathan reserved special praise for Shaw, who returned to the franchise after going unsold in the last auction cycle. “They got him at a very good price. I think those hungry players who were unsold last year can always prove their point. Prithvi Shaw will prove his point,” he said.The former opener’s recent performances at home add weight to Pathan’s argument. After transferring to Maharashtra, Shaw performed brilliantly and became the team’s highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.“Stress leads to failure”While supporting Shaw’s return, Pathan also issued a warning. “Those hungry players who are eliminated are very excited, but at the same time they put a lot of pressure on themselves. This pressure will always lead you to failure,” he warned, urging the youngsters to stay relaxed and focused.He also acknowledged the other options in the squad, including Abhishek Porel, but stressed on the clarity of the role. “They can choose Abhishek Porel. But I think they should choose Prithvi Shaw and let him clarify his role,” he added.Rahul geared up for another big seasonRahul, meanwhile, comes into IPL 2026 in strong form after a stellar season previously, when he amassed 539 runs at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of nearly 150. Having crossed 5,200 runs in the IPL, he is now targeting the 6,000-run milestone – a target that only a few greats including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have achieved.With DC about to begin their match against Lucknow Supergiants, all eyes will be on whether the Pathan-endorsed starting combination takes shape and whether Shaw can actually deliver on his ‘point to prove’.
