KL Rahul Creates History with 5th IPL Century, Becomes First to Score Tons for Three Franchises

KL Rahul produced a breathtaking century for Delhi Capitals during their IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans on Sunday. The 33-year-old remained unbeaten on 112 off just 65 deliveries, hammering 14 boundaries and 4 sixes.

This was Rahul’s fifth IPL century, making him only the second Indian to score five or more centuries in the league, after Virat Kohli, who has eight. The knock also marked Rahul’s seventh T20 century overall.

First Player With IPL Centuries for Three Franchises

Rahul etched his name in history by becoming the first player ever to score centuries for three different IPL teams. Before joining Delhi Capitals, he had already notched centuries for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.

Promoted to the opener’s role in this game, Rahul capitalized on the opportunity, guiding DC to a dominant total of 199/3 in 20 overs.

Clean Strokeplay on Slower Track

Despite a slightly slower pitch, Rahul displayed elegant strokeplay, showing his class, especially when hitting through the line. His fifth IPL hundred was a display of both precision and power, making him the standout performer.

Rahul, apart from anchoring the innings, accelerated towards the end to ensure Delhi posted a challenging total for Gujarat Titans.

He received valuable support from his teammates—Abishek Porel struck a fiery 30 off 19 balls, captain Axar Patel chipped in with 25 off 16 deliveries, and Tristan Stubbs finished strong with an unbeaten 21 from just 10 balls.

Dominance from the Start

Put in to bat first, Rahul signalled intent early with two boundaries in the opening over off Mohammed Siraj—one courtesy of a misfield and the other through a classy backfoot cut.

With opening partner Faf du Plessis struggling and eventually dismissed by Arshad Khan, Rahul took charge of the innings.

He punished Siraj’s short deliveries, cutting past backward point and pulling over mid-on for successive fours. Facing Kagiso Rabada, Rahul impressed again—moving across the crease to dispatch a short ball over square leg for six.

Two balls later, he carved Rabada over point and then stood tall to loft him down the ground for another six, collecting 17 runs in the final over of the powerplay as DC reached 45/1.

Composed Half-Century, Lucky Break

Rahul was efficient in rotating strike against Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan, eventually sweeping Rashid for a boundary to reach his fifty in 35 balls.

The home crowd roared as he celebrated. Rahul had a lucky moment when a top-edge off R Sai Kishore’s bowling fell just short of a fielder and rolled to the boundary.

He continued his aggressive display by stepping away and launching a half-volley straight for six.

Against Kishore, he hit three consecutive boundaries—a straight drive through the bowler’s legs, a flick that Rabada couldn’t keep inside the ropes, and an edge that ran through a vacant first slip area.

Century and Strong Finish

Though he faced fewer balls in the last four overs, Rahul made them count. He lofted an off-drive for six off Prasidh and then pulled him to bring up his century, greeted by thunderous applause.

In the final moments, Rahul executed a reverse paddle and a clean drive off Siraj for two more boundaries, giving Delhi Capitals strong momentum heading into the second innings.

Rahul’s Historic Century for Delhi Capitals

Rahul’s 60-ball century against Gujarat Titans on May 18 was his first for Delhi Capitals and marked yet another record in his decorated IPL career.

Before joining DC, he had scored two centuries for Punjab Kings—where he played four seasons and scored 2,548 runs—and two more for Lucknow Super Giants.

At Delhi, he began IPL 2025 in the middle order but was promoted to the top, where he delivered his best performance for the franchise.

Before this innings, only three players had scored IPL centuries for multiple teams—Rahul now stands alone as the only one to do so for three.

Highest Score Against Gujarat Titans

Rahul’s unbeaten 112 became the highest individual score recorded against Gujarat Titans. Additionally, he was the first right-handed batter to score a century in IPL 2025.

It also marked the first century by a Delhi Capitals player since 2020, when Shikhar Dhawan had back-to-back tons against Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings.