The Arun Jaitley Stadium saw a batting exhibition from KL Rahul as he helped propel Delhi Capitals (DC) to 199 for 3 versus Gujarat Titans (GT) in an important TATA IPL 2025 match-up. Rahul, leading the innings, registered a sublime 112 not out (65 balls), which was his counterpart to a fighting chance to win the match. The ton not only confirmed Rahul’s credentials as one of the most consistent batters in the tournament, but it was also an important personal milestone as he becomes the first batter to register centuries for three different IPL teams – Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and now Delhi Capitals.
A Slow but Steady Start
After being placed to bat by GT, DC made a good start to the innings. The pace attack from the Gujarat Titans, and particularly Mohammed Siraj and Arshad Khan, were discipline in their line, and did not allow DC to settle. The opening pair made the first why they were disciplined in the first four overs and incurred 15 dot balls, which contributed to the stunting their foundation. The pressure soon had its first casualty as Faf du Plessis, in his attempt to break the batters, hit the ball poorly to mid-on where it was caught by Siraj from the bowling of Arshad; he was a short course of 5 runs off 10 balls and left DC at 28 runs, 1 out after 5 overs.
Rahul’s Counterpunch and Key Milestones
Having put DC on the back foot with an early wicket, KL Rahul launched a counterattack and took charge in the last over of the powerplay period. His target was Kagiso Rabada and in that over directed his attention with two 6’s and a 4 which provided important bounce to get DC to 52/1 by the end of the powerplay period. In this instance, KL Rahul also crossed the 8000 runs in T20 cricket; who becomes the third fastest batter to reach in 224 innings with only Chris Gayle (213) and Babar Azam (218) fast exiting the T20 atmosphere.
As the balance of the innings kept moving forward, Rahul continued to dominate the GT bowlers. He brought up his fifty runs off of the 35 balls through the means of thought out stroke play and offensive direction. His opposition became workable milestone as he developed a fine partnership with Abishek Porel, and together provided a critical score off of 52 balls, in a 90-run stand. But Porel quickly offered up his wicket off of a R Sai Kishore delivery as the bowler got him returned from a catch behind the stumps, after Porel hit a six off Kishore, which also broke the partnership.
Fortune Favors the Brave
Rahul continued to maintain the possession of the structure after Porel lost his wicket. The match now proceeded into the 14th over where he chipped in on some luck as he managed to pick up three boundaries in three occasions off Kishore. Leading off with a straight drive with made it through the bowler’s hands, a Rabada missed field and an outside edged which went through the area of short third; it was an opportune over for the batsmen and failed to support the structural integrity for the fielders and bats or runs.
The decision to bring back Sai Kishore in the sixteenth over–to give the over to a pace bowler who had failed in his first spell–looked like it could backfire for GT, as Axar Patel seized the opportunity to bring the score within striking distance, hitting 15 runs in the over. Axar’s concussive hitting, coupled with Rahul’s solid tactical play, gave DC the innings they wanted to put up a good total. Unfortunately for GT, Axar’s assault soon came to a close in the next over at the hands of Prasidh Krishna, who dismissed Axar after he had hit 25 runs off 15 balls.
A Star Is Born
Rahul had shown all his destructive finishing skills and had powerfully paired with Tristan Stubbs for the final two overs, taking 48 off 22 balls. While Stubbs was able to take a brisk 21 off just 10 balls in short order to provide the punch in the tail that propelled DC and complete the powerhouse 199 for 3 total trusted on the notoriously tricky Delhi surface.
While there was some mound of challenge awaiting DC to put away, the scoreboard pressure will have the DC bowlers as the challenge, going up against a very potent GT batting line-up. For now, the dew factor has yet to come into play, which means that GT’s innings will not be straightforward just yet. As expected, it will take two anchors to potentially steer GT to the victory jog – with Shubman Gill paired with Sai Sudharsan expected to provide the firepower as GT look to chase down this 200 total and solidify their playoff chances.
In Closing
With the score on 199 and to finish his innings, KL Rahul has both set up an exciting back-half and has reminded everyone that he is a premier T20 batter. With if innings, he has again shown why he is so highly desired in the IPL. Will Rahul’s hundred be enough to get a win for DC, or will the Titans twist this match, and score 200 runs? The next four hours will be revelatory for this game.