Delhi Capitals star reaches milestone in just 130 innings, leads his team to dominant 8-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow, April 23: KL Rahul etched his name in the IPL record books on Tuesday, becoming the fastest player to reach 5,000 runs in the history of the Indian Premier League. The stylish right-hander achieved the milestone in just 130 innings, surpassing David Warner’s 135 and Virat Kohli’s 157 to become the quickest to the landmark.
Rahul’s unbeaten 57 off 36 balls played a pivotal role in Delhi Capitals’ emphatic 8-wicket win over his former side, Lucknow Super Giants, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
🏏 Rahul’s Historic Innings
Arriving at the crease with DC at 36/1, Rahul exuded confidence and composure. He forged a crucial 69-run partnership with Abhishek Porel, anchoring the chase and showcasing his typical flair.
Rahul brought up his 40th IPL half-century with a single in the 18th over and then finished the game in style — launching a mighty six over mid-wicket to seal the win and the record in one stroke.
With this feat, Rahul now joins the elite 5000+ IPL runs club, becoming the eighth batter to do so, alongside:
- Virat Kohli (8,326)
- Rohit Sharma (6,786)
- Shikhar Dhawan (6,769)
- David Warner (6,565)
- Suresh Raina (5,528)
- MS Dhoni (5,377)
- AB de Villiers (5,162)
🔍 By The Numbers:
- Matches: 139
- Innings: 130
- Runs: 5,006
- Average: 46.35
- Fifties/Centuries: 40/4
🗣️ Impact on the Game
Rahul’s innings was not just record-breaking but also match-winning. He neutralized Lucknow’s bowling threat with intelligent strokeplay and explosive finishers, guiding Delhi Capitals to their 6th win of the season.
The 32-year-old’s calm presence at the crease and milestone-setting performance reaffirmed his place among the league’s greats — and hinted that there’s still more to come from the batting maestro.
With Delhi now climbing the points table and Rahul rewriting records, the second half of IPL 2025 promises to be a thrilling chapter for fans of the gentleman’s game.