Lucknow SuperGiants' captain, Rahul made history by becoming the first player to score three centuries against the same opponent in the IPL
Imagine a young lad balancing equations in the classroom by day and perfecting his cover drive on the cricket field by evening. That's the essence of KL Rahul's upbringing. His initial foray into Test cricket might have been nerve-wracking, but he did silence the doubters with a string of sensational performances. And who could forget his fairy-tale debuts in ODIs and T20Is? It was as if he had a date with destiny, announcing his arrival with a flurry of runs and silencing any whispers of doubt about his adaptability across formats.
Yet, like all great stories, Rahul's journey had its share of setbacks. Injuries tried to derail his dreams, but true champions rose from adversity. His redemption song was A nearly double century against England in the Chennai Test, a testament to his resilience and unwavering resolve.
Now, as he blows out the candles on his 32nd birthday cake, let's take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and relive his top five performances.
In the fifth Test match, the right-hand batter steps up to bat for India against England. As the innings progresses, Rahul's determination shines through. He faced over 300 deliveries and spent over eight hours at the crease, showing incredible patience and skill. His innings were filled with elegant drives and powerful shots, including 16 fours and three sixes. But just when it seemed like he would reach a double century, he's caught out for 199 runs.
Leading Punjab Kings, Rahul's performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2020 IPL was breathtaking. He crafted an unbeaten 132 off 69 balls at a stunning 191.30 strike rate, including 14 boundaries and seven sixes, setting up a daunting 206 total. Punjab Kings' bowlers restricted RCB to 109 all out. Punjab Kings clinched a 97-run victory, with Rahul rightly named Man of the Match for his brilliant century and exceptional leadership.
Punjab Kings emerged victorious in the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings in Dubai. CSK posted 134/6 in their 20 overs. In response, Punjab Kings chased down the target in just 13 overs, reaching 139/4. The captain of Punjab Kings, Rahul, played a sensational unbeaten knock of 98 runs off just 42 balls. He smashed seven fours and eight sixes at a staggering strike rate of 233.33, leading his team to victory with 42 balls to spare.
In an IPL 2022 match against Mumbai Indians, KL Rahul displayed his batting prowess by smashing 103 runs off just 60 deliveries
Lucknow SuperGiants' captain, Rahul made history by becoming the first player to score three centuries against the same opponent in the IPL. He achieved this milestone by smashing a remarkable century in the 37th match of IPL 2022 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. Rahul's unbeaten 103 guided his team to 168 runs, leading them to a 36-run victory over MI. This marked his third century against Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Rahul blazed his way to the century mark in just 62 deliveries
KL Rahul made history by becoming the fastest Indian batter in a Men's ODI World Cup to score a century. It was a thrilling showdown against the Netherlands at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Arriving at the crease at a precarious 200/3 following Virat Kohli's dismissal, Rahul wasted no time in settling in. With 11 boundaries and four massive sixes, he reached the coveted century mark in just 62 deliveries, leaving spectators spellbound.
