Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul played a terrific innings of 68 runs off 50 balls to help his side in securing a 12-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 4 (Monday).
This half century helped the LSG skipper to join MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in an elusive list. Rahul surpassed former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag to join the list of most fifty-plus scores as a leader in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Elite list
Notably, Rahul notched up his 28th half century in the IPL. It was also his 13th half century as a leader and this tally helped him in overcoming former Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag and former captain of Deccan Chargers Adam Gilchrist.
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli currently claims the top spot in this list after scoring fifty-plus scores 40 times. Kohli is followed by Gautam Gambhir (31), David Warner (27), Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma (23) and MS Dhoni (22). Notably, Warner is the only overseas skipper to be in the top-five of this prestigious list.
On the other hand, Rahul’s half century against SRH was his 50th T20 fifty and this terrific knock helped him in joining Kohli and Rohit in another elusive list. Rahul claimed fifth spot in the list of most T20 fifties by Indians.
Most T20 fifties by Indians
| Players name | Total Matches | Fifties |
| Virat Kohli | 328 matches | 76 fifties |
| Rohit Sharma | 372 matches | 69 fifties |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 305 matches | 63 fifties |
| Suresh Raina | 336 matches | 53 fifties |
| KL Rahul | 175 matches | 50 fifties |
Batting first, LSG had registered a total of 169/7 in 20 overs against SRH. The Lucknow-based team had lost their first three wickets within first five overs of the match. But later, a solid partnership of 87 runs off 62 balls between Rahul (68 runs off 50 deliveries) and Deepak Hooda (51 runs off 33 balls) helped their side in avoiding the early danger. Eventually, LSG managed to post a defendable total of 169 runs in 20 overs.
In reply, Rahul Tripathi (44 runs off 30 balls) and wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran (34 runs off 24 balls) tried to put up a brave show for SRH but ultimately it turned out to be fruitless as the Hyderabad-based franchise could only manage to reach 157 runs in 20 overs.
LSG pacer Avesh Khan picked up four wickets in the match to clinch an important victory for his side. Avesh was adjudged Man of the Match for his clinical bowling display.
