KL Rahul slams 76 versus RR, surpasses 4,500 IPL runs
What's the story
Lucknow Super Giants opener KL Rahul has completed 4,500 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Rahul unlocked this achievement in Match 44 of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday.
The LSG opener struck 76 from 48 balls. He shared a crucial 115-run stand alongside Deepak Hooda.
Rahul attained the milestone in his 127 match (118 innings) as LSG managed 196/5.
Knock
A crucial knock from Rahul's blade
LSG lost two early wickets before Rahul and Hooda shared a massive century-plus stand to resurrect the innings.
Rahul got to his fifty in the 10th over with a four off Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling.
The skipper continued to get the boundaries post his fifty before being dismissed by Avesh Khan in the 18th over.
A short ball did the trick for the speedster.
Information
3rd-highest partnership for LSG
As per Cricbuzz, Rahul and Hooda's 115-run stand is now the third-highest for LSG (any wicket) in the IPL. Rahul and Quinton de Kock hold the top two partnerships for LSG.
Rahul
Rahul slams his 36th IPL fifty
Rahul has become the 12th batter to complete 4,500 runs in IPL history.
Rahul, who averages 46.33 in the tournament, now owns 4,541 runs. His strike rate reads 135.18.
He now owns 40 fifty-plus scores, including four tons.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Rahul has amassed 713 runs versus the Royals at 50.92. He slammed his 7th fifty versus RR (SR: 132.52).
Record
5th opening batter with this milestone
As per ESPNcricinfo, Rahul is now the fifth batter in IPL history to surpass 4,000 runs as an opening batter.
Rahul owns 4,041 runs from 94 matches at 49.88. He has struck 34 fifties and four centuries as an opener.
He has gone level with Virat Kohli (4,041 runs from 107 matches).
Shikhar Dhawan (6,362), David Warner (5,909) and Chris Gayle (4,480) are ahead.
LSG
Over 1,000 runs for LSG
Rahul recently became the first batter to complete 1,000 runs for LSG in the IPL.
He owns 1,268 runs across 33 games for the franchise and averages 43.72 (100s: 2, 50s: 9).
The opener made 616 runs at 51.33 in his maiden season with the Super Giants in IPL 2022. He could only manage 273 runs at 34.25 last year.
Career
A look at his IPL journey
Rahul started his IPL journey in Bengaluru. He featured for RCB in his debut season (2013), having played five games.
Sunrisers Hyderabad then signed him ahead of the 2014 season. However, two poor seasons led to his return to the Royal Challengers (2016).
Rahul, who missed the 2017 season (injury), was then signed by PBKS in 2018. He was named LSG's skipper in 2022.