KL Rahul has often been hailed as an old-school batter who fits in the Test format of the game. However, people often forget his statistics in T20, which say otherwise

KL Rahul is an old-school Test player – this is the statement we often hear from cricket commentators, analysts, selectors, and so on. Yes, this statement is correct, but it is unfortunate that people overlook his statistics in the T20 format, in which his average is close to 38 with a strike rate of nearly 140 in international cricket. Even in the Indian Premier League, KL Rahul’s statistics cannot be undermined. In fact, on this day in 2018, Rahul had then hit the IPL's fastest 50, proving that he can play T20 innings at a blistering pace.

Delhi’s 166

Batting first, the Delhi Daredevils in the second match of the 2018 season scored a target of 166 runs. Gautam Gambhir had led the team from the front with 55 runs in 42 balls, whereas down the order, Rishabh Pant had added 28 runs in 13 balls, and Chris Morris made 27 runs in 16 deliveries. Eight years ago, the IPL wasn’t all about scoring above 200 in almost every game, and therefore, 166 runs was a decent target.

Rahul’s orchestra

(Credit- DNA India)

Opening for the Kings XI Punjab, KL Rahul started hitting the Daredevils left, right and centre from the first delivery. In 16 balls at a strike rate of 318.75, he scored 51 runs and set the IPL’s then-fastest fifty record, which destroyed the morale of the Delhi bowlers. Even though Mayank Agarwal and Yuvraj Singh gave away their wickets, Karun Nair followed Rahul’s cue and scored 50 runs in 33 balls, followed by David Miller, who added 24 runs, whereas Marcus Stoinis finished the game with 22 runs off 15 deliveries.

Punjab won the game with a collective effort from multiple batters, but it was Rahul who orchestrated the fast-paced innings, which ended the game in 18.1 overs.

Rahul’s IPL stats

KL Rahul knows a thing or two about scoring runs in the IPL. Can he have another 600+ season? pic.twitter.com/r2A4F8aL6A

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 1, 2026

Since 2013, Rahul has played 152 matches so far, scoring 5,243, which makes him one of the elites in the tournament’s history. His average stands at 44.81, with a strike rate of 135.86, and, not to forget, his highest score in the tournament is 132 not out. Furthermore, he has five centuries in the tournament.

In the fast-paced T20 world, KL Rahul may not fit the scheme, but even today, one cannot completely write him off.