At a glance
- KL Rahul completed his eighth 500-plus IPL season
- Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by five wickets
- Rahul entered an elite IPL milestone list alongside Virat Kohli
Delhi Capitals kept their IPL playoff ambitions alive on Sunday night with KL Rahul once again leading from the front in a pressure situation at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The stylish right-hander produced a composed half-century during Delhi’s five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals and, in the process, carved his name deeper into IPL history. Rahul reached the landmark of 50 scores of 50 or more in the tournament while also completing his eighth 500-plus run season.
Rahul delivers when Delhi needed him most
Rahul’s assured knock of 56 from 42 deliveries blended caution with authority. He struck one boundary and cleared the ropes three times while maintaining a healthy strike rate above 133.
More importantly, he stitched together a decisive 105-run partnership with Abhisek Porel that steadied Delhi after early pressure and swung momentum firmly in the home side’s favour.
For Delhi Capitals the win carried added significance. After enduring a miserable stretch of five consecutive defeats at home, the franchise finally gave its supporters something to celebrate and revived hopes of a late push into the playoffs.
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KL Rahul joins Virat Kohli in elite IPL company
Rahul’s latest achievement now places him alongside some of the greatest batters the league has produced. Only Virat Kohli has recorded more 500-run campaigns in IPL history with nine such seasons to his name.
The Delhi Capitals opener has now registered eight 500-plus seasons across his IPL career, underlining his remarkable consistency in one of cricket’s most demanding formats.
He also became only the fifth batter to record 50 fifty-plus scores in the IPL. The elite list includes Virat Kohli, David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma.
A season of dominance for Delhi Capitals
Rahul has been the driving force behind Delhi’s campaign this season. The opener has amassed 533 runs in 14 innings at an average of 44.41 with a strike rate approaching 172.
His season tally includes one century and four half-centuries with a breathtaking unbeaten 152 standing as his highest score.
The consistency has become a hallmark of Rahul’s IPL journey. His most prolific campaign came in 2020 for Punjab Kings when he piled up 670 runs in 14 innings and claimed the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Rajasthan Royals continue to struggle against Rahul
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a superb record against Rajasthan Royals throughout his IPL career.
Against the Royals he has amassed 882 runs in 19 innings at an average of 51.88, including nine half-centuries with a best score of 95 not out.
Few bowlers have managed to contain Rahul once he settles into rhythm and Sunday night was another reminder of his calmness under pressure.
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Delhi’s playoff hopes remain alive
Now with 5,755 runs from 158 IPL matches, Rahul sits among the league’s most dependable run machines. His record includes six centuries and 44 half-centuries with an average above 46.
As Delhi Capitals chase a place in the knockout stages, their hopes appear firmly tied to the calm presence and relentless run-scoring of one of the IPL’s modern masters.
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