KL Rahul's Stellar Century Leads Delhi Capitals to Strong Total Against Gujarat Titans

In a thrilling IPL match, KL Rahul's remarkable century propelled the Delhi Capitals to a total of 199 runs against the Gujarat Titans. His partnerships with Abishek Porel and Axar Patel were crucial in building a solid score. Despite early pressure from GT's bowlers, Rahul's performance, marked by 14 fours and four sixes, showcased his skill and resilience. As DC aims for their seventh win of the season, this match highlights the importance of strong batting in securing playoff positions. Read on to discover how the match unfolded and the key moments that defined this exciting encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 19, 2025, 02:02 IST

KL Rahul Shines with a Century

New Delhi [India] - On May 18, KL Rahul delivered an impressive century under pressure, guiding the Delhi Capitals (DC) to a formidable score of 199/3 in their 20 overs against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

This century marks KL's fifth in the IPL and his seventh overall in T20 cricket. To secure their seventh victory of the season and enhance their playoff prospects, DC must now defend this total.

After GT opted to bowl first, their decision initially seemed justified as pacers Mohammed Siraj and Arshad Khan applied pressure on openers KL Rahul and Faf Du Plessis, restricting them from scoring singles. Faf's struggle continued, leading to his dismissal for just five runs, caught by Siraj at mid-on, leaving DC at 16/1 in 3.2 overs.

Abishek Porel joined KL at the crease, and the seasoned batter quickly shifted the momentum back to DC, striking two well-placed fours against Siraj and scoring 17 runs off Kagiso Rabada's first over, which included two sixes and a four from Rahul.

By the end of the powerplay, DC had reached 45/1, with KL on 36* and Axar Patel at 1*. They crossed the 50-run mark in the seventh over, with KL achieving another fifty in just 35 balls, featuring five boundaries and two sixes, marking his fourth of the season.

With Porel and Rahul intensifying their attack, DC reached 81/1 after 10 overs, with KL at 56* and Porel at 15*. Following his fifty, Rahul continued to accelerate, hitting two sixes off Rabada.

Their 90-run partnership concluded when Sai Kishore had Porel caught behind by Jos Buttler for 30 runs off 19 balls, including a four and three sixes, leaving DC at 106/2 in 12 overs.

Captain Axar Patel joined KL, and the pair collected boundaries against the spinners. After 15 overs, DC stood at 136/2, with Axar on 10* and Rahul on 86*.

The promising partnership was broken when Axar was caught by Sai Kishore off a delivery from Prasidh Krishna for 25 runs in 16 balls, which included two fours and a six, leaving DC at 151/3 in 16.2 overs.

Despite the wickets falling around him, KL remained composed and reached his fifth IPL century in 60 balls, hitting 12 fours and four sixes, inflicting Prasidh's most expensive spell of the season: 1/47 in four overs.

DC finished their innings strongly, scoring 16 runs in the final over, highlighted by two fours from KL and a massive six from Tristan Stubbs. KL ended unbeaten at 112* off 65 balls, with 14 fours and four sixes, while Stubbs contributed 21* off 10 balls, including two sixes. DC concluded their innings at 199/3.

Prasidh, Sai, and Arshad each claimed a wicket during the match.