KL Rahul Joins IPL's Elite Run-Scorers with Stellar Performance

KL Rahul Climbs IPL Run-Scoring Charts

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 11: In a remarkable display of skill, KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper-batter for Delhi Capitals (DC), has ascended into the top 10 run-scorers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as of Thursday. He surpassed both Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane and former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.

This achievement came during DC's IPL 2025 match against RCB at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. Faced with a challenging target of 164 runs and at one point struggling at 58/4, Rahul delivered an impressive innings, scoring an aggressive 93 not out off 53 balls, featuring seven fours and three sixes, achieving a strike rate of 175.47.

Since his IPL debut in 2013, Rahul has amassed a total of 4,868 runs across 135 matches and 126 innings, boasting an average of 46.36 and a strike rate of 135.67. His record includes four centuries and 39 fifties, with a personal best of 132 not out. He now ranks as the 10th highest run-scorer in IPL history. His peak performance came in 2020 when he earned the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs, totaling 670 runs in 14 matches at an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34, including one century and five fifties.

Rahul has a notable track record against RCB, a team he played for during the 2013 and 2016 seasons, accumulating 741 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 74.10 and a strike rate of 147.31, which includes one century and four fifties, with a top score of 132 not out.

In terms of successful IPL run-chases, Rahul stands out with 1,208 runs in 25 successful chases, averaging 71.05 and a strike rate of 148.58, along with 15 half-centuries, his highest being 98 not out. Among the 56 players who have scored over 500 runs in successful IPL chases, only David Miller has a better average, with 1,037 runs at 103.70.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Delhi Capitals, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav (2/17) and Vipraj Nigam (2/18), limited RCB to 163/7 in their 20 overs. Key contributions came from Phil Salt (37 runs off 17 balls) and Tim David (37 not out off 20 balls), despite a solid 61-run partnership between Salt and Virat Kohli (22 runs off 14 balls).

Despite a shaky start at 58/4, Rahul and Tristan Stubbs formed a resilient partnership, adding 111 runs for the fifth wicket, leading DC to victory. Rahul's unbeaten 93 off 53 balls, complemented by Stubbs' 38 not out off 23 balls, secured the team's fourth win of the season.

Currently, DC holds the second position with four victories in four matches, while RCB is in fourth place with three wins and two losses out of five matches.

KL Rahul was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance.