'Special' KL Rahul becomes first right-hander to hit a century in IPL 2025

NEW DELHI: KL Rahul lit up the

Arun Jaitley Stadium

on Sunday with a majestic unbeaten century — the first by a right-hander this season — as

Delhi Capitals

rode his brilliance to post 199 for 3 against Gujarat Titans in a crucial IPL 2025 encounter.Also visit: DC vs GT, IPL 2025All the four earlier centurions this season were left-handed batters - Abhishek Sharma (141), Ishan Kishan (106*), Priyansh Arya (103) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (101).Rahul’s knock of 112 not out off 65 balls wasn’t just a masterclass in timing and temperament, but a record-breaking effort on multiple fronts. The 65 deliveries faced by him is the most by any batter in this IPL season, underscoring the anchor role he played. His 112* is also now the highest individual score ever recorded against Gujarat Titans, eclipsing Suryakumar Yadav’s 103* at Wankhede in 2023.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!It was Rahul’s fifth IPL century and seventh in T20 cricket, taking him joint-third among Indians with the most T20 tons, alongside Abhishek Sharma. Only Virat Kohli (9) and Rohit Sharma (8) are ahead.Most hundreds in T20s (Indians)

Who's that IPL player?Most 100s in the IPL

The Delhi opener also achieved another major milestone during his innings — becoming the

fastest Indian to 8000 T20 runs

. He reached the landmark in just 224 innings, 19 fewer than Kohli’s 243. Only Chris Gayle (213) and Babar Azam (218) have done it quicker globally.Fastest to 8000 runs in T20s (by innings)

DC mentor Kevin Pietersen was effusive in praise: "KL wanted to open again and it’s just so good to watch him in full flow. Watching world-class players like him execute under pressure — that’s special. But it’s only half the job done.”

For Delhi Capitals, it was a night to remember — led by a man who’s rewriting records while carrying the weight of their playoff dreams.