KL Rahul Achieves Milestone as IPL's Leading Indian Opener

KL Rahul has made headlines in the IPL 2023 season by becoming the first Indian opener to hit 200 sixes. His impressive performance against Rajasthan Royals, where he scored 75 runs off 40 balls, has solidified his status as a top player. With 4851 runs in 112 matches, he is on the verge of reaching 5000 runs, a milestone achieved by only two other Indian openers. This article delves into his remarkable achievements and current standings in the league.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 14:05 IST

KL Rahul Shines in IPL 2023

In the 19th season of the Indian Premier League, KL Rahul, the opening batsman for Delhi Capitals, showcased his exceptional skills. During the match against Rajasthan Royals on May 1 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rahul played a remarkable innings, scoring 75 runs off just 40 balls while chasing a target of 226 runs. His innings included 6 fours and 5 sixes, contributing significantly to his team's performance.

First Indian Opener to Hit 200 Sixes in IPL

In the match against Rajasthan Royals, KL Rahul hit 5 sixes, marking a significant milestone as he became the first Indian opener to reach 200 sixes in IPL history. He joins the ranks of Chris Gayle and David Warner as only the third player overall to achieve this feat. So far, Rahul has played 112 matches as an opener in the IPL, amassing 4851 runs at an impressive average of 50.01, which includes 6 centuries and 39 half-centuries.

Top Six-Hitters as Openers in IPL

Chris Gayle - 326 sixes
David Warner - 210 sixes
KL Rahul - 203 sixes
Virat Kohli - 192 sixes
Faf du Plessis - 159 sixes

KL Rahul's Run Accumulation

KL Rahul ranks fourth among openers for the most runs in IPL history, just 149 runs shy of reaching the 5000-run milestone. If he achieves this, he will become only the third Indian opener to do so, following in the footsteps of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli.