KL Rahul IPL: Can Lokesh Rahul help LSG to win their first IPL trophy?
Published on: Feb 28, 2023 12:49 pm IST|Updated on: Feb 28, 2023 12:49 pm IST
KL Rahul, the flamboyant Indian cricketer, has made quite a name for himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the years, he has proved to be one of the most consistent and reliable players in the tournament, garnering a massive fan following. In this blog, we will take a look at his IPL journey and how he has evolved as a player.
KL Rahul IPL
KL Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Since then, he has played for a few different teams, but it was with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) that he made his mark.
Rahul has played a total of 109 matches in the IPL, scoring 3,889 runs at an impressive average of 48.01 and a strike rate of 136.22. He has scored four centuries and 31 fifties in the tournament, hitting 327 fours and 164 sixes. He has also taken 57 catches and 5 stumpings.
Let’s take a look KL Rahul IPL career stats in detail:
| Year | Mat | No | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 109 | 19 | 3889 | 132* | 48.01 | 2855 | 136.22 | 4 | 31 | 327 | 164 | 57 | 5 |
| 2022 | 15 | 3 | 616 | 103* | 51.33 | 455 | 135.38 | 2 | 4 | 45 | 30 | 9 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 3 | 626 | 98* | 62.60 | 451 | 138.80 | 0 | 6 | 48 | 30 | 11 | 0 |
| 2020 | 14 | 2 | 670 | 132* | 55.83 | 518 | 129.34 | 1 | 5 | 58 | 23 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 3 | 593 | 100* | 53.90 | 438 | 135.38 | 1 | 6 | 49 | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 2 | 659 | 95* | 54.91 | 416 | 158.41 | 0 | 6 | 66 | 32 | 10 | 1 |
| 2016 | 14 | 3 | 397 | 68* | 44.11 | 271 | 146.49 | 0 | 4 | 37 | 16 | 5 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 | 142 | 44* | 28.40 | 126 | 112.69 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 | 166 | 46 | 20.75 | 164 | 101.21 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | 20 | 12 | 10.00 | 16 | 125.00 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IPL Journey
As mentioned earlier, Rahul made his IPL debut in 2013 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He played a few games for them that season but didn’t get many opportunities to showcase his talent. It wasn’t until he was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 that he got a decent run in the tournament. However, he wasn’t very successful with the bat that season, scoring only 166 runs in 11 matches.
In 2015, Rahul was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, the team where he had made his debut two years earlier. He played only nine matches that season, scoring just 142 runs. However, he played a vital role in the team’s journey to the final, where they lost to Mumbai Indians.
The following season, Rahul had a much better outing with the bat. He scored 397 runs in 14 matches at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 146.49. However, he couldn’t help his team qualify for the playoffs, as they finished in the sixth position on the points table.
In 2017, Rahul was bought by Kings XI Punjab for a whopping INR 11 crore. This was a huge opportunity for him, and he made the most of it. He had a fantastic season with the bat, scoring 659 runs in 14 matches at an average of 54.91 and a strike rate of 158.41. He hit 66 fours and 32 sixes that season, but unfortunately, his team failed to make it to the playoffs.
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The following season was a bit of a mixed bag for Rahul. He couldn’t replicate his heroics from the previous season, scoring 593 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 135.38. He did score a century that season, but his team again failed to qualify for the playoffs.
In 2019, Rahul had another decent season with the bat, scoring 593 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 135.38. He also scored his second IPL century that season, against Mumbai Indians. However, his team once again failed to make it to the playoffs.
KL Rahul was appointed as the captain of Kings XI Punjab in 2020, and he led the team from the front. Despite starting the tournament with a loss, he guided the team to five consecutive wins and finished the league stage with 670 runs, the highest by any Indian in a single season of IPL. However, the team faltered in the crucial games and missed out on the playoffs.
In the 2021 season, KL Rahul continued his impressive form and scored 626 runs in 13 matches at an average of 62.60 and a strike rate of 138.80, with a highest score of 98 not out. However, the team struggled to find consistency and could only win six out of their 14 matches, failing to qualify for the playoffs once again.
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A lot to look forward to
KL Rahul’s IPL journey has been filled with outstanding performances and memorable moments. He has established himself as one of the best batsmen in the tournament and a consistent run-scorer for his team. His calm and composed demeanor on the field and his ability to adapt to different situations have earned him the respect of his peers and fans alike.
In conclusion, KL Rahul’s career in IPL has been nothing short of spectacular. He has been a consistent performer and a reliable source of runs for his team. His performances have earned him accolades and he has become one of the most valuable players in the tournament. As he continues to grow and improve, KL Rahul is sure to leave an indelible mark on the history of IPL.
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