KL Rahul overtakes Virat Kohli with record eighth 50-plus score against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026

Key facts

• KL Rahul scored 75 off 40 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes) against Rajasthan Royals on May 1, 2026.
• He surpassed Virat Kohli (7) and Shikhar Dhawan (7) for most 50-plus scores vs Rajasthan Royals in IPL history.
• Rahul now jointly holds the record with AB de Villiers (8), achieving it in fewer innings (18).
• Delhi Capitals chased down 226 with 7 wickets and 5 balls to spare at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
• Rahul and Pathum Nissanka shared a 110-run opening stand; Nissanka scored 62 off 33 balls.
• Rahul last played a T20I for India in 2022; selectors had concerns over his strike-rate.
• Rahul picked up the Orange Cap after this innings and sent a message regarding strike rate to chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

A record-breaking chase in Jaipur

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur turned into a cauldron of noise on Friday, as the 43rd match of IPL 2026 delivered a high-scoring masterpiece. In a season defined by soaring run rates, the Delhi Capitals pulled off a clinical seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals, chasing down a daunting 226-run target with five balls to spare. At the heart of the chase was captain KL Rahul, whose blistering 75 off just 40 balls not only ended his team's three-match losing streak but also etched his name into the IPL record books. Rahul's innings featured six fours and five sixes, and he reached his half-century in just 27 balls, showcasing explosive form from the outset.

Surpassing Kohli and Dhawan

This innings marked Rahul's eighth 50-plus score against Rajasthan Royals in IPL history, allowing him to surpass Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, who each had seven such scores. Rahul now jointly holds the record with AB de Villiers, who also achieved eight fifties-plus against the Royals. Notably, Rahul reached this milestone in fewer innings (18) than de Villiers (20), underlining his consistency and dominance against that opposition. The record is a testament to Rahul's ability to perform against a specific franchise, a factor that has often been highlighted in discussions about his T20 credentials.

Opening partnership sets the platform

Chasing a formidable target of 226, Delhi Capitals looked clinical from the first ball. Openers KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka dismantled the Rajasthan bowling attack with a 110-run opening stand. Nissanka was the early aggressor, smashing 62 off just 33 balls, while captain Rahul anchored the pursuit with his sublime 75. Despite a mid-innings wobble where Rahul fell in the 16th over, Nitish Rana (33 off 17) and the finishing duo of Tristan Stubbs (18 not out off 11) and Ashutosh Sharma (25 not out off 15) ensured there were no late heartbreaks. Delhi reached the target with five balls to spare, finishing at 226/3.

A message to the selectors

KL Rahul last played a T20I for India in 2022 and has since been ignored due to selectors' concerns over his strike-rate. After picking up the Orange Cap with this innings, Rahul sent a fiery message regarding strike rate to chief selector Ajit Agarkar, signaling his intent to reclaim a spot in the T20I side ahead of the 2026 World Cup. His performance in Jaipur was a direct response to the criticism that has dogged his white-ball career. The innings had a strike rate of 187.5, well above his career IPL strike rate of around 134, and demonstrated an aggressive intent that selectors have demanded.

Wider context and background

Rahul's form in white-ball cricket has been a subject of intense debate. He has found freedom and form in the shorter format, with recent performances in Australia and now in the IPL reinforcing his credentials. Earlier this year, he embraced the captaincy role in the absence of Shubman Gill and has been a consistent performer for India in Tests and ODIs. However, his T20I exile has been a persistent narrative. The selectors' emphasis on strike rate has kept him out of the squad, even as he continued to pile up runs in domestic T20 leagues. His record-breaking knock against Rajasthan Royals is the strongest statement yet that he is ready to return to the international T20 stage.

What comes next for Rahul and Delhi Capitals

For Delhi Capitals, this win breathes life into their playoff campaign after a three-match losing streak. The team will look to build on this momentum in the remaining league matches. For Rahul personally, the Orange Cap and the record against Rajasthan Royals are stepping stones toward a potential T20I recall. England greats have predicted a T20I recall for the experienced India batter, and with the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, Rahul's timing could not be better. The selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, will now have to weigh his recent explosive form against their earlier reservations. Rahul has made his case emphatically.

The bottom line

• KL Rahul now holds the record for most 50-plus scores against Rajasthan Royals in IPL history (8), surpassing Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.
• His 75 off 40 balls at a strike rate of 187.5 was a direct response to selectors' concerns over his T20I strike rate.
• Rahul's opening partnership of 110 with Pathum Nissanka set the foundation for Delhi Capitals' successful chase of 226.
• Rahul last played a T20I for India in 2022 and is eyeing a return for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
• The win ended Delhi Capitals' three-match losing streak and kept their playoff hopes alive.