The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi witnessed a cricketing masterclass on the evening of Saturday, as the Delhi Capitals (DC) faced off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 35th match of IPL 2026. In a high-stakes encounter, the atmosphere was electric, but it was one man who stole the spotlight, turning the stadium into a theatre of dominance.
KL Rahul smashes a record-breaking century against PBKS
From the moment KL Rahul stepped onto the crease, there was an air of inevitability about his performance. While opening partner Pathum Nissanka fell early for 11, Rahul remained unfazed, anchoring the innings before shifting into a gear rarely seen in the shortest format. He reached his fifty in just 26 balls, but that was merely the appetizer.
The defining moment of the evening came in the 15th over. Facing Marco Jansen at 14.5 overs, Rahul sat on 99. Jansen attempted to deceive him with a lack of pace on a full length just outside off. With surgeon-like precision and raw power, Rahul pumped the ball back past a diving long-off. The ball raced to the boundary, bringing up a sensational hundred off just 47 balls. The commentary box was in awe, questioning how a ball with such little pace could reach the ropes so quickly, a testament to Rahul’s impeccable timing and placement.
However, he didn’t stop at triple figures. In a display of sustained aggression, Rahul finished the innings unbeaten on 152 off 67 balls, striking at a mountainous rate of 226.86. His knock was decorated with 16 fours and 9 towering sixes, leaving the Punjab bowlers with no hiding place.
DC posts a mammoth target for PBKS to chase
The carnage led by Rahul allowed the Delhi Capitals to post a record-shattering total of 264/2 in their 20 overs. After the early loss of Nissanka, Rahul found a perfect ally in Nitish Rana. Together, they orchestrated a massive 220-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively batting Punjab Kings out of the contest.
Rana played a stellar supporting role, smashing 91 off 44 balls, including 9 fours and 4 sixes, before falling to Xavier Bartlett in the penultimate over. By the time David Miller walked in to face the final few deliveries, the damage was already done.
The Punjab Kings’ bowling attack struggled to find answers on a flat Delhi deck. Arshdeep Singh was the most economical among the specialists, yet still conceded 49 runs in his 4 overs. Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak bore the brunt of the assault, conceding 69 and 48 runs respectively.
