Watch: KL Rahul becomes first IPL batter in 13 years to smash 150 vs PBKS in IPL 2026
KL Rahul smashes 150 vs PBKS in IPL 2026, becoming the first batter in 13 years to reach the milestone and rewriting league history.
Be a winner today!
Get the latest cricket updates, Join our community
KL Rahul etched his name in the record books on Saturday with a sensational innings against his former side Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2026. Opening the batting for Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Rahul produced a breathtaking 152 off just 67 balls, powering his team to a massive total of 264. With this knock, the 32-year-old became the first Indian batter to score 150 or more in IPL history, joining an elite list that includes Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum.
Rahul’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression and impeccable timing. Combining his trademark elegance with calculated power hitting, he dismantled the PBKS bowling attack with ease, finding boundaries consistently and maintaining a strikingly high tempo throughout his stay at the crease. His ability to accelerate seamlessly while retaining composure highlighted the evolution of his T20 game, making the knock not just impactful but also technically impressive.
Beyond the numbers, the innings carried significant weight in the context of recent criticism surrounding Rahul’s strike rate and intent in the shortest format. This performance served as a definitive statement, reinforcing his capability to meet modern T20 demands while preserving his classical batting style. On an afternoon where records tumbled, Rahul not only answered his critics in emphatic fashion but also cemented his place among the finest performers in IPL history.
Watch the special knock of KL Rahul:
Rahul Enters Elite Club with Record-Breaking IPL Knock
With this historic achievement, KL Rahul became the first player in 13 years to breach the 150-run mark in the Indian Premier League. His unbeaten 152* not only powered Delhi Capitals to a dominant position but also placed him in an exclusive club alongside Chris Gayle, who scored 175* for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013, and Brendon McCullum, who smashed 158* for Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural 2008 season. These remain the only three instances of 150-plus scores in IPL history, underlining the rarity of Rahul’s feat.
Rahul’s 152* now ranks third on the all-time list of highest individual scores in the tournament, behind Gayle and McCullum. The significance of this innings is heightened by the evolution of T20 cricket, where bowling strategies, match-ups, and analytical approaches have made such high scores increasingly difficult. Importantly, Rahul also set the record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter in IPL history, surpassing previous benchmarks and reinforcing his standing among the game’s elite.
Top 5 Highest Individual Scores in IPL History
| Rank | Player | Score | Team | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 175* | RCB | Pune Warriors | 2013 |
| 2 | Brendon McCullum | 158* | KKR | RCB | 2008 |
| 3 | KL Rahul | 152* | Delhi Capitals | Punjab Kings | 2026 |
| 4 | Abhishek Sharma | 141 | SRH | Punjab Kings | 2025 |
| 5 | Quinton de Kock | 140* | LSG | KKR | 2022 |
Record Partnership Powers Delhi Capitals to Massive Total
KL Rahul looked in complete control from the outset, even as Delhi Capitals lost Pathum Nissanka early. He soon found strong support in Nitish Rana, and the duo stitched together a remarkable 220-run stand for the second wicket. This partnership not only became the highest in Delhi Capitals’ history but also the second-highest for any wicket in the Indian Premier League, behind the 229-run stand between AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in 2016.
The pair’s dominance was evident as they surpassed the franchise’s previous best partnership of 189 runs set by David Warner and Naman Ojha in 2012. Their 220-run effort came in just 96 balls, highlighting the aggressive approach that left the Punjab Kings bowling attack under immense pressure throughout the innings.
Rahul led the charge with a commanding display, smashing 14 fours and nine sixes en route to the fastest century of his IPL career, eventually converting it into a record-breaking 150-plus score. He also registered the highest individual score for Delhi Capitals, surpassing Rishabh Pant’s previous best of 128*. Meanwhile, Rana played the perfect supporting role with a fluent 91, as the duo powered Delhi Capitals to a formidable 264/2, leaving Punjab Kings with a daunting chase.
Tags:
