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Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) captain KL Rahul exhibited top-quality batting as he bulldozed the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowlers at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Rahul became the first player to smash a century in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. He just took 62 deliveries to reach the distinctive landmark.
The Karnataka stalwart clobbered Shivam Dube for 23 runs in the last over to take his team’s total go past 200. Rahul, scored 132 off 69 deliveries to achieve the highest score ever by a captain and an Indian in the history of IPL.
Not only this, but the wicket-keeper batsman also broke the record of scoring most runs for KXIP in an IPL inning. The previous record was held by former India international Virender Sehwag who had scored 122 runs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2014.
Rahul surpassed Sachin Tendulkar
Apart from scoring the magnificent ton, Rahul also etched his name in the history books by becoming the fastest Indian batsman to complete 2000 runs in the cash-rich league.
Rahul took 60 innings to score 2000 runs to surpass batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the feat in 63 innings.
The 28-year-old had made his IPL debut for RCB back in 2013. He then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014 for two seasons. In 2016, Rahul was again back with RCB.
Rahul had to miss out the 2017 edition due to injury, and Punjab roped him in the 2018 player auction for a staggering amount of INR 11 crore. Rahul had a pretty good time in KXIP. He scored 659 runs in his first season and followed it up with 593 in the second season.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Some solid shots there by @klrahul11 classy hundred
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) September 24, 2020
.@klrahul11 has led from the front.
Super innings! He has paced his innings nicely and timed the ball beautifully.#KXIvRCB #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/yOufAjYoAu— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 24, 2020
Kamaal Lajawaab…..🙇♂️ #Rahul #SpecialPlayer #IPL2020
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 24, 2020
Kl Rahul WOW 🔥🔥🔥 #IPL2020
— Ben Duckett (@BenDuckett1) September 24, 2020
What a knock by @klrahul11 just sensational for @lionsdenkxip #ipl
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) September 24, 2020
Only Human….. Almost… & OUTSTANDING …🙌🏼👏🏼👍🏼 #RCBvKXIP #IPL2020
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 24, 2020
Klass Rahul #champion 💯
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 24, 2020
@klrahul11 some player 🙌🏼🔥
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) September 24, 2020
@klrahul11 sometimes when I look at your batting its like the gods have come down to show us the way to bat with ease and class! Your 132 of 69 is the best knock i have ever seen in the @IPL! Huge fan 👏 #RCBvKXIP #rcbvskxip pic.twitter.com/KcZOcOtaJr
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) September 24, 2020
Sheer class, take a bow KL Rahul#RCBvKXIP
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) September 24, 2020
Extraordinary Player @klrahul11. Very special. Always have time for him and always loved watching him bat. Easily the BEST Innings of this IPL so far #RCBvKXIP
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) September 24, 2020
KL Rahul – 132* – now the highest by an Indian in #IPL history!
Prev: 128* – by Rishabh Pant in 2018#KXIPvRCB#RCBvKXIP#IPL2020 #Dream11IPL— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 24, 2020
Yes he was given two chances, but its not hard to appreciate the beauty and skill of K L Rahul. We have long been admirers of this wonderous batting talent @mmbangwa
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) September 24, 2020
Ohhoho what an amazing display of batting from @klrahul11 🔥
First hundred of #IPL2020#KXIPvRCB
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) September 24, 2020
A sensational knock from @klrahul11. Simply fantastic batting… Interested to see how @RCBTweets respond to this chase! Eyes will be on @imVkohli for sure!#InsideOut #IPL2020 #KXIPvsRCB
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) September 24, 2020
Brilliant knock this has been!! No doubt it’s @klrahul11’s day. But will it be his team’s day as well?#ProGyaan #IPL2020 #KXIPvsRCB
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) September 24, 2020