KL Rahul, who hit the fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League (IPL) a few days back, toned down his aggression before exploding in a 54-ball 84 not out to carry Kings XI Punjab to a six-wicket win over bottom-placed Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
Rahul took 44 balls to get to his half-century, in a display of great temperament by the young batsman who had lashed a 14-ball fifty earlier in the tournament. He launched into Jofra Archer in the 17th over, taking 16 runs off it, and then Jaydev Unadkat went for 15 in the 18th to kill Rajasthan Royals hopes for a win.
Rahul’s knock of 84 included seven fours and three huge sixes.
After registering a win against Ajinkya Rahane & Co., Punjab players celebrated in style at the team hotel in Indore. They smashed the cake on to KL Rahul’s entire face.
Meanwhile, KXIP franchise co-owner Preity Zinta, who first asked Rahul to leave half of the chocolate cake to eat, changed her words to “I don’t want to eat it”, after watching the condition of the Karnataka batsman’s face.
