IPL 2026: KL Rahul now first Indian batsman to score 152 runs; check five highest individual scores

KL Rahul delivered a knock for the ages for the Delhi Capitals, smashing an unbeaten 152 against the Punjab Kings in Delhi. In doing so, he became the first Indian to breach the 150-mark in the IPL, with his innings now ranking as the third-highest in the tournament’s history—behind Chris Gayle’s 175* and Brendon McCullum’s 158*.

Rahul’s knock wasn’t just monumental in numbers—it was defined by how ruthlessly he capitalised on his chances. Dropped twice by Shashank Singh, first on 12 and then on 51, Rahul made Punjab pay dearly, turning those reprieves into one of the most costly fielding lapses in IPL history.

Despite an early setback with Pathum Nissanka falling cheaply, Rahul looked in complete control from the outset. He found the perfect ally in Nitish Rana, and the duo stitched together a breathtaking 220-run stand for the second wicket. It is now the highest partnership in Delhi Capitals’ history and the second-highest for any wicket in the IPL, behind the iconic 229-run stand between AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in 2016.


Highest individual scores in the IPL
175* - Chris Gayle (RCB) vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013
158* - Brendon McCullum (KKR) vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2008
152* - KL Rahul (DC) vs PBKS, Delhi, 2026
141 - Abhishek Sharma (SRH) vs PBKS, Hyderabad, 2025
140* - Quinton de Kock (KKR) vs LSG, Mumbai DYP, 2022

The partnership also eclipsed Delhi’s previous best—a 189-run unbeaten stand between David Warner and Naman Ojha in 2012. Rahul and Rana’s 220 came off just 96 balls, highlighting their complete domination over a hapless Punjab attack.

Rahul led the assault with 14 fours and nine sixes, registering the fastest century of his IPL career. His previous quickest ton had come off 56 balls against the Mumbai Indians in 2022, but this time he went several steps further, converting it into a historic 150-plus score. In the process, he also surpassed Rishabh Pant’s 128* from 2018 to set a new record for the highest individual score by a Delhi Capitals batter.

At the other end, Rana played the perfect foil, hammering 91 with 11 boundaries and four sixes. Together, they powered Delhi Capitals to a mammoth 264/2 in 20 overs, leaving Punjab Kings staring at a daunting chase.