Published By: Saksham Mishra

Batsmen with most IPL runs with single duck

KL Rahul has scored the most runs in the history of the IPL while getting dismissed for a duck on just one occasion. KL Rahul started his journey in the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013. He got just five opportunities and could match only 20 runs in the season.

In 2014, he was roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad and had a disappointing season for them, managing just 166 runs from 11 matches at an average of 20.75 and strike rate of barely over 100. In 2015 as well, he scored just 142 runs for Hyderabad from 9 matches at an average of 28.48.

The batsman returned to Royal Challengers Bangalore the next year and made 397 runs for RCB from 14 matches at an average of 44.1 and a strike rate of 146.49 with the best of 68 not out while smashing four half centuries.

His good form meant that Punjab roped him in in 2018. KL Rahul went to the next level from that year onwards and smashed 659 runs from 14 matches at an average of 54.91 and a strike rate 158.41, with the best of 95 not out in the season.

In 2019, Rahul scored 593 runs from 14 matches at an average of 53.90 and strike rate of 135.38, with the best of 100 not out. He also hit six half centuries in the season.

In IPL 2020, when the league was played in the UAE behind closed doors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rahul was named the captain of Punjab. He did not allow captaincy to affect him and went on to score 670 runs from 14 matches at an average of 55.83 and strike rate of 129.34 with one century and five half centuries and the best of 132 not out.

KL Rahul was struggling with form in international cricket prior to IPL 2021 but started the season with a bang. Unfortunately, he suffered acute appendicitis and had to miss out.

Overall, Rahul has scored 2978 runs from 88 IPL matches at an average of 46.53 and a strike rate of 135.85 while facing 2192 deliveries but has been dismissed for a duck only once. He is one of the most accomplished batsmen in the IPL with two centuries and 25 half centuries with the help of 261 boundaries and 120 sixes.