“Blamed KL Rahul for exposing a debutant from ball one”: Ex-India star calls out toxicity after DC vs RCB clash

The 39th match of the ongoing IPL 2026 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium was already a disaster for Delhi Capitals (DC), but after the match, social media made things even more intense for the side. DC’s heavy 9-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has put KL Rahul in a bad light.

The treatment of a young debutant has become the major talking point on social media. The 18-year-old Sahil Parakh was handed his IPL debut cap by the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. However, his special moment has turned into a tough experience for the youngster.

Sahil Parakh’s dream debut turns into a nightmare in just two balls in IPL 2026

Sahil Parakh was brought in to open the innings with KL Rahul in the high-profile clash against the RCB. It was a forgettable debut for the Maharashtra batter.

Parakh was on strike against Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Facing him with the new ball is never easy, and on debut, it becomes even tougher.

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Bhuvneshwar bowled a very good swinging ball, and the youngster’s stumps were knocked over. His bowling was so accurate that the batter could not understand or handle it properly, and his debut ended in just two balls. After Parakh’s dismissal, social media reacted strongly.

KL Rahul faces backlash over strike decision in DC vs RCB clash

Many felt that KL Rahul, being the senior player, should have taken the first ball himself. They believed that putting a debutant on strike in such a high-pressure game was too risky, especially against a bowler like Bhuvneshwar. They said Rahul exposed Parakh instead of supporting him.

Things got worse for DC in no time, as Parakh’s early wicket triggered a complete collapse. Josh Hazlewood joined the attack, and the RCB duo made a mockery of the DC batting lineup. The hosts were bowled out for just 75 runs after scoring 264 runs against PBKS at the same ground.

Chasing the paltry target, RCB won the match by 9 wickets inside 7 overs, leaving Delhi completely stunned. After the DC vs RCB match, Rahul faced a massive setback for not taking the strike, but former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh defended him publicly.

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Dodda Ganesh backs KL Rahul, calls criticism unfair and unnecessary

The commentator felt that the reaction was too harsh and unnecessary. Ganesh noted that Parakh was picked as a proper opening batter, so giving him strike was not a wrong move.

The former cricketer also stressed that blaming Rahul’s decision for the collapse was unfair, and this kind of negativity around a player like Rahul was just helpless.

Dodda Ganesh posted, X: “Saw a couple of journalists’ tweets yesterday where they blamed KL Rahul for exposing the debutant from ball one. FYI guys, that kid is no tail-ender; he’s a proper batter, and that’s why he was chosen to open. Can’t understand this toxicity around KL Rahul #IPL2026."

Saw a couple of journalists’ tweet yesterday where they blamed KL Rahul for exposing the debutant from ball one.
FYI guys, that kid is no tail ender; he’s a proper batter and that’s why he was chosen to open. Can’t understand this toxicity around KL Rahul #IPL2026

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) April 28, 2026

With this crushing defeat, the Delhi Capitals slipped to the 7th spot on the IPL 2026 points table with 6 points and a negative net run rate. They have lost five of their 8 games that they have played so far in the tournament. DC will next face Rajasthan Royals on May 1 in Jaipur.