New Delhi: KL Rahul marked becoming the sixth-most prolific batter with the best score by an Indian in Indian Premier League’s history as Delhi Capitals blazed to 264 for two against Punjab Kings on Thursday, the highest total by a team in this edition.
It was Rahul’s sixth century of the tournament and together with Nitish Rana (91 off 44, 11×4, 4×6) put together a 220-run second wicket partnership (96 balls), the second highest stand for any wicket ever in the tournament.
Dropped on 12 and 51, Rahul (152 not out, 67 balls 16×4, 9×6) brought up his century in 47 deliveries and brought up quickest IPL hundred, bettering his 56-ball mark against Mumbai Indians in 2022.
He also became Delhi’s highest scorer in an innings, overtaking 128 not out against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018.
Punjab paid dearly for dropping Rahul, first by Shashank Singh off Arshdeep Singh, when the right hander’s batter was only 12, and then by Vijaykumar Vyshak off his own bowling on 51.
(More to follow…)