IPL 2018, KXIP vs DD: KL Rahul blinder helps Kings XI Punjab to dominant win

KL Rahul smashed the fastest fifty in the history of Indian Premier League on Sunday after reaching the milestone in just 14 deliveries. Opening the batting for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) against Delhi Daredevils, Rahul began his brutal assault after getting his eye in quickly. In the very first over of KXIP’s innings, Rahul whacked Boult for a huge six and from thereon he looked in imperious form as boundaries and sixes flowed at will from his willow. After taking 16 runs of the Kiwi pacer’s first over, Rahul milked Mohammed Shami for 12 runs. However, his assault on Amit Mishra was savage as the leg-spinner was taken apart for 24 runs in one over. 0, 2, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 4, 1, 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4 was the sequence of his stunning knock. Incidentally, Rahul is also the first player to hit a 50 within the first three overs of T20 cricket. His early blitz helped Punjab reach the target of 167 with seven balls and six wickets to spare. (Source: PTI)

Delhi Daredevils won the toss and elected to bat first. Gautam Gambhir playing his first match on his return to DD and as captain, was the star of the show with the bat. He scored his 36th IPL fifty, thus equalling the record for most half centuries in the league's history. (Source: PTI)

DD slowed down after Gambhir's wicket and it was only when Chris Morris went on the attack that they managed to reach the total they put up. (Source: PTI)

Apart from Morris and Gambhir it was only Rishabh Pant that made a significant contribution. The likes of Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer and Vijay Shankar failed to strike. (Source: PTI)

Kings XI Punjab, or KL Rahul, came out all guns blazing. Rahul, who has long carried the tag of Test specialist, blitzed his way tio a 12-ball 50. (Source: PTI)

Karun Nair also scored a 50 to see Kings XI Punjab over the line. (Source: PTI)