IPL: Decoding lesser-known records of KL Rahul
KL Rahul is set to lead Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2024 reverse fixture against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The LSG opener played a captain's knock (82) in their previous encounter, also against the Super Kings. Overall, Rahul has had a mixed run in the ongoing IPL season so far. Here are his lesser-known records in the tournament.
Highest individual IPL score among Indians
Rahul holds the record for registering the highest individual score by an Indian in an IPL innings. He slammed an unbeaten 132 off 69 balls for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2020. In fact, Rahul remains the only Indian to have struck more than 130 runs in an IPL innings.
Only player with over two IPL tons against MI
Yashasvi Jaiswal recently became the second batter with multiple centuries against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL. He slammed his second IPL ton against them at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. Notably, Rahul remains the only other batter with more than two centuries against the five-time champions in the cash-rich league. He owns three hundreds in this regard.
Rahul's record-breaking 2020 season
Rahul had a record-breaking IPL season in 2020 where he smashed 670 runs from 14 matches at an average of 55.83. Rahul, who played for PBKS that season, bagged the Orange Cap. He became the first Indian to win the Orange Cap for PBKS.
Most IPL fifties by a designated wicket-keeper
As mentioned, Rahul smashed 82 against CSK in LSG's previous match. As per Cricbuzz, Rahul now owns the most fifties by a designated wicket-keeper in the IPL. With his 25th half-century, he broke the record of Mahendra Singh Dhoni (24). Rahul's compatriot Quinton de Kock has 23 such scores, while Dinesh Karthik follows him with 21 fifties.
