New Delhi: KL Rahul delivered a historic performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), smashing a sensational unbeaten 152 to rewrite multiple records. His extraordinary knock not only powered his team to a massive total but also placed him in an elite category of global T20 cricket.

Rahul’s innings came at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, where he stitched a stunning 220-run partnership with Nitish Rana. The duo guided Delhi Capitals to a record total of 264, one of the highest team scores in IPL history.

Record-breaking innings and milestones

Rahul’s unbeaten 152 off 67 balls marked the highest score of his IPL career. The innings was studded with 16 boundaries and nine towering sixes, showcasing a perfect blend of timing and aggression. He reached his century in just 47 balls, making it the fastest IPL hundred of his career, surpassing his previous best of 56 balls during his stint with Lucknow Super Giants.

With this knock, Rahul registered his sixth IPL century, moving past Sanju Samson (five centuries) to become the Indian player with the second-most centuries in IPL history, only behind Virat Kohli. Globally, he now stands joint third alongside Chris Gayle, with Jos Buttler ahead.

First player to achieve rare IPL feat

In a remarkable milestone, Rahul became the first player in IPL history to score multiple centuries for three different franchises. He has now achieved this feat with Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals, underlining his consistency and adaptability across teams.

He had earlier become the first player to score centuries for three IPL franchises, a record that was later matched this season by Sanju Samson and Quinton de Kock. However, Rahul has now gone a step further by scoring multiple centuries for each of these teams, setting a new benchmark in the league.

Elite company among wicketkeeper-batters

Rahul also joined an elite list of wicketkeeper-batters with multiple IPL centuries across teams. He is now among a select group that includes Sanju Samson and Quinton de Kock, highlighting his impact both as a batter and a designated wicketkeeper.

At 34, Rahul became the oldest Indian wicketkeeper-batter to score an IPL century. Overall, he is the second-oldest wicketkeeper to achieve the milestone, behind Australian legend Adam Gilchrist.

Highest scores and franchise records

Rahul’s innings also saw him become the first Indian batter to score more than 150 in an IPL match. He joined global greats Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum as the only players to cross the 150-run mark in the tournament.

The knock surpassed Rishabh Pant’s previous highest score for Delhi Capitals (128), making it the highest individual score in the franchise’s history. Rahul now also shares the record for most centuries for Delhi Capitals with David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, each having two centuries for the team.

A defining moment in IPL 2026

Rahul’s innings is already being hailed as one of the finest in IPL history, given the context, opposition, and the sheer dominance displayed. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining an explosive strike rate proved crucial in setting up Delhi Capitals’ massive total.

The partnership with Nitish Rana was equally significant, as it laid the foundation for a commanding performance. Their 220-run stand is among the highest partnerships in IPL history, reflecting exceptional coordination and attacking gameplay.

Conclusion

KL Rahul’s record-breaking knock not only secured a memorable victory for Delhi Capitals but also cemented his legacy as one of the most consistent and versatile performers in IPL history. With multiple records shattered in a single innings, Rahul has set a new standard for excellence in T20 cricket, and his performance will be remembered as a defining moment of the 2026 season.