Kings XI Punjab opener KL Rahul smashed the fastest fifty in IPL history during his team’s opening campaign of the tournament against Delhi Daredevils.
Chasing 167 in Mohali, Rahul waited for three balls before launching into the Daredevils attack. He first took on seamer Trent Boult, hitting him for a six and then two boundaries. In the next over against Mohammed Shami, Rahul hit a six and a boundary before taking leg-spinner Amit Mishra, going four, six, six, four and four to reach his fifty.
Hit shots against Mishra were particularly special as the leg-spinner is the second highest wicket taker in IPL history. Rahul first six off Mishra was a slap off the back foot over long off followed by a sweep which he executed despite slipping awkwardly.
Rahul broke the record set by Yusuf Pathan who hit a 15-ball fifty in 2014. He was finally dismissed for 51 of 16 balls with six boundaries and four sixes.
Fastest fifties in the IPL:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 8, 2018
14 balls - KL RAHUL v DD, Today
15 balls - Yusuf Pathan v SRH, 2014
15 balls - Sunil Narine v RCB, 2017#IPL2018 #KXIPvDD
