Delhi Capitals (DC) opener KL Rahul on April 25 surpassed Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni on the list of leading run-scorers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history.
Rahul got past Dhoni with a boundary off Arshdeep Singh in the third over. On the second ball of the over, Arshdeep bowled a short one. Rahul played a pull shot but Arshdeep had Shashank Singh stationed at deep square leg. Shashank could not catch the ball and it went for a boundary. Shashank has been struggling with his catching of late. In the previous game, he dropped three catches against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Before the game between DC and Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rahul had 5,427 runs, 12 short of Dhoni's tally of runs. The former CSK captain has played 278 games and scored 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30 and strike rate of 137.45. He has 24 half-centuries in his IPL career.
Rahul is now sixth on the list of leading run-scorers in IPL history. The top spot is occupied by Virat Kohli (8,989 runs), followed by Rohit Sharma (7,183 runs), Shikhar Dhawan (6,769 runs), David Warner (6,565 runs) and Suresh Raina (5,528 runs).
Rahul attacks in powerplay overs
Rahul made full use of the early reprieve. He rubbed salt on wounds with a six off the last ball of the final over. In the next over, he hit Vijaykumar Vyshak for a six as well. At the powerplay overs, the opener was batting on 35 off 16 balls. He reached his half-century from 26 balls in the 10th over.
Earlier, DC skipper Axar Patel won the toss and opted to bat first. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that Patel had already told him about his decision. Patel did not make any changes to the lineup.
No clarity on Dhoni’s availability
While Dhoni showed positive signs with a long wicketkeeping and batting session at Wankhede Stadium, he did not turn up for the game against Mumbai Indians (MI).
“I'm pretty sure he'll be behind the stumps. The biggest thing for him is that calf injury. It's just the running and late in the innings if he comes in, having to scamper those ones and twos. He just needs to make sure the calf is strong enough to withstand that,” CSK batting coach, Michael Hussey told the broadcasters during El Clasico clash.
“He's progressing really well. I know he's pushing hard to get back as quickly as he possibly can. I know all the fans want to see him, MS Dhoni, out there playing as well. So we're hopeful, maybe in the next few games, but we want him back as quickly as he possibly can as well,” he added.
CSK’s next game is at home against Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 26.