KL Rahul registers 50th fifty-plus score in IPL, 8th 500-run season; joins elite list
New Delhi, May 18
Delhi Capitals batter KL Rahul joined an elite company, reaching his 50th fifty-plus score of his Indian Premier League and registering his eighth 500-run season in his career so far.
A vigilant half-century by KL and his 105-run stand with Abhisek Porel played a crucial role in keeping DC's playoff hopes alive as they secured their sixth win of the season by five wickets against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. After a horrific run of five losses at home, DC ended their home run with a win they would cherish.
KL scored a fine 56 in 42 balls, with a four and three sixes at a strike rate of over 133. So far this season, KL has been fourth-highest run-getter and the top run-getter for DC, with 533 runs in 14 innings at an average of 44.41 and a strike rate of almost 172, with a century and four fifties, including a best score of 152*.
He also registered his eighth 500-plus run season in IPL history, the second-most by a batter, just behind RCB and Indian batting icon Virat Kohli, who has nine such seasons.
The 2020 season with Punjab Kings (PBKS) has been his richest season, with 670 runs in 14 innings at an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.83, with a century and five fifties. That season, he went on to win the Orange Cap for most runs.
This is his 50th fifty-plus score, placing him in an elite list with Virat Kohli (76, nine centuries and 67 fifties), David Warner (66, four centuries and 62 fifties), Shikhar Dhawan (53, two centuries and 51 fifties) and Rohit Sharma (51, with two centuries and 49 fifties). In his IPL career, KL, the fifth-highest run-getter, has scored 5,755 runs in 158 matches and 149 innings at an average of 46.04 and a strike rate of 138.70, with six centuries and 44 fifties.
His record against RR is great, having made 882 runs in 19 innings at an average of 51.88 and a strike rate of 135.27, with nine fifties and a best score of 95*.
KL has made a hat-trick of 500-plus run seasons, having done so last year (539 runs in 13 innings, with a century and three fifties). He had five 500-plus run seasons in a row from 2018-2022 for PBKS and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the second-most for a batter, behind David Warner's glorious run of six such seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from 2014-2020.
Coming to the match, DC won the toss and opted to bowl first. After the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46 in 21 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and Dhruv Jurel put on a 70-run stand. Later, Jurel also provided support to skipper Riyan Parag, who registered his second fifty this season with 51 in 26 balls, with three fours and five sixes. But from 162/2, RR collapsed to 193/8 in 20 overs, with Mitchell Starc (4/39), Lungi Ngidi (2/24) and Madhav Tiwari (2/27) tightening the screws.
During the chase, Abhisek (51 in 31 balls, with seven fours and a six) and KL Rahul (56 in 42 balls, with a four and three sixes) put on a 105-run stand, after which they sank to 153/4. Knocks from skipper Axar Patel (34* in 18 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Ashutosh Sharma (18*) finished off the chase with five wickets and four balls in hand.
DC is in seventh place, with six wins and seven losses, giving them 12 points. RR is placed fifth, with six wins and six losses, giving them 12 points.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive stats no doubt, but I still feel KL goes into his shell sometimes during the middle overs. That 56 off 42 was good but he could have accelerated earlier. Still, can't take away from his consistency - 5 consecutive 500+ seasons is unreal!
KL Rahul has been a silent warrior this IPL. While everyone talks about Virat and 'impact players', this guy just keeps scoring runs year after year. 5,755 runs at 46 average and 138 strike rate - that's world-class numbers for any format. India's Lucknow boy is making the nation proud! 🔥
As someone who follows IPL from Australia, KL Rahul's consistency is remarkable. But I'm more impressed by how he's adapted his game - used to be a Test-style accumulator, now he's striking at 172 this season. That's evolution. Also, great to see DC finally winning at home!
KL Rahul and Abhishek Porel's partnership was the game-changer. DC's batting looks solid now with these two at the top. And that 882 runs against RR - Rajasthan must be sick of seeing him! 😂 Hope DC can sneak into playoffs, they deserve it after that home stretch nightmare.
Can we talk about how underrated KL Rahul is in T20Is? The guy has been consistently scoring in IPL for years but somehow gets dropped from Indian T20 squad. 50 fifty-plus scores in IPL is no joke - only Kohli, Warner, Dhawan, and Rohit ahead of him. Give this man his due! 🇮🇳
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