Delhi Capitals’ player Rahul celebrates his century (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
KL Rahul delivered a historic knock for Delhi Capitals, becoming the first Indian batsman to score 150 runs in the Indian Premier League, as he scored an unbeaten 152 against Punjab Kings in Delhi. The innings is now the third highest individual score in the tournament’s history, behind Chris Gayle’s 175* and Brendon McCullum’s 158.Highest individual scores in IPL175* – Chris Gayle (RCB) v PWI, Bengaluru, 2013158* – Brendon McCullum (KKR) vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2008152* – KL Rahul (DC) – BBKS, Delhi, 2026141- Abhishek Sharma (SRH) vs BBKS, Hyderabad, 2025140* – Quinton de Kock (KKR) vs LSG, Mumbai DYP, 2022Rahul’s efforts were not just about numbers, but about how to build them. In view of the two early reprieves, he made the Punjab kings pay the full amount. He was first dropped by Shashank Singh on 12 and then again on 51, and from there, the opener took complete control of the contest.
By the end of the innings, those missed chances turned into one of the most expensive mistakes in IPL history.
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From the start, Rahul looked in great form despite Delhi losing Pathum Nissanka early. He soon found the perfect partner in Nitish Rana, and together the duo put on a stunning batting display. The duo added 220 runs for the second wicket, the highest partnership in Delhi Capitals’ history and the second highest for any wicket in the IPL, only behind AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli’s 229 runs in 2016.
Their partnership also surpassed Delhi Capitals’ previous best, which was an unbeaten 189-run stand between David Warner and Naman Ojha in 2012. Rahul and Rana’s efforts came off just 96 balls, underscoring the sheer dominance they showed over a struggling Punjab attack.Rahul led the charge with 14 fours and nine sixes, making the fastest century of his IPL career along the way. His previous fastest hundred came in 56 balls against Mumbai Indians in 2022, but this time he went one step further to turn it into a record 150-plus score. In the process, he also set a new benchmark for Delhi Capitals, surpassing Rishabh Pant’s tally of 128 not out at the same venue in 2018 to record the highest individual score for the franchise.At the other end, Rana played the perfect supporting role, finishing with 91 after hitting 11 boundaries and four sixes. Together, they powered Delhi Capitals to a mammoth figure of 264 for 2 in 20 overs, leaving Punjab Kings facing an uphill chase.
