IPL record books rewritten as PBKS script highest-ever run chase but KL Rahul headlines historic day in Delhi run-fest

What unfolded was a full-blown run-fest, with the batters showing little concern for the scorching Delhi heat and going after everything on offer.

Updated on: Apr 25, 2026, 23:02:58 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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It was a day to forget for the bowlers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as Delhi Capitals hosted Punjab Kings on Saturday afternoon. What unfolded was a full-blown run-fest, with the batters showing little concern for the scorching Delhi heat and going after everything on offer. Timing and intent took centre stage as both sides kept the scoreboard racing at a rapid pace. In the end, Punjab Kings scripted IPL history by chasing down the highest total in the league. They overhauled 265 with seven balls to spare, chasing at a required rate of more than 13 runs per over with remarkable ease. It was a fearless effort from start to finish, reflecting the modern T20 approach where even towering targets are no longer seen as out of reach.

Punjab Kings scripted history vs Delhi Capitals (REUTERS)

PBKS broke their own 2024 record by chasing 261 against Kolkata Knight Riders, though at that time current Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer was leading the opposition.

Highest successful run chases in IPL history

PBKS- 264 against DC in 2026

PBKS- 261 against KKR in 2024

SRH- 245 against PBKS in 2025

RCB- 227 against LSG in 2025

RR- 223 against PBKS in 2025

Punjab Kings openers set the tone in the chase, tearing into the Delhi Capitals attack in the powerplay and racing to 116 in six overs, the second-most expensive powerplay in IPL history.

100-plus scores in Overs 1-6 in the IPL

125/0 - SRH vs DC, Delhi, 2024

116/0 - PBKS vs DC, Delhi, 2026

107/0 - SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad, 2024

105/0 - SRH vs PBKS, Mullanpur, 2026

105/0 - KKR vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2017

100/2 - CSK vs PBKS, Mumbai WS, 2014

A record-breaking day for KL Rahul

Earlier, KL Rahul showcased his class once again, proving he can adapt seamlessly to the modern T20 approach as he smashed an unbeaten 152. With that knock, he became the first Indian to reach the landmark and now holds the third-highest individual score in IPL history. His 152* places him alongside Chris Gayle (175*) and Brendon McCullum (158*) in an elite group, while also moving past Abhishek Sharma’s 141 to underline the scale and impact of his innings.

Highest individual scores in the IPL

175* - Chris Gayle (RCB) vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013

158* - Brendon McCullum (KKR) vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2008

152* - KL Rahul (DC) vs PBKS, Delhi, 2026

141 - Abhishek Sharma (SRH) vs PBKS, Hyderabad, 2025

Meanwhile, in terms of the highest individual T20 score by an Indian, Rahul moved past Tilak Varma on the list, having earlier scored 151 against Meghalaya in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.

Highest individual scores by an Indian in Men’s T20s

152* - KL Rahul vs PBKS, Delhi, 2026

151 - Tilak Varma vs Meghalaya, Rajkot, 2024

148 - Abhishek Sharma vs Bengal, Secunderabad, 2025

147 - Shreyas Iyer vs Sikkim, Indore, 2019

146* - Punit Bisht vs Mizoram, Chennai, 2021

Also Read - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieves what 797 players to have played IPL couldn’t, enters cricketing folklore with 36-ball ton

It was a record-breaking day for Rahul as he rewrote many records with a knock for the ages. It was his sixth century in the IPL, which made him tie with West Indies legend Chris Gayle.

Most IPL hundreds

8 - Virat Kohli

7 - Jos Buttler

6 - Chris Gayle

6 - KL Rahul

5 - Sanju Samson

Rahul and Nitish Rana (91) put on a record 220-run stand for Delhi Capitals off just 96 balls after opting to bat. It now stands as the second-highest partnership for any wicket in IPL history.

Highest partnerships in the IPL (any wicket)

229 - AB de Villiers & Virat Kohli vs GL, Bengaluru, 2016

220 - KL Rahul & Nitish Rana vs PBKS, Delhi, 2026

215* - AB de Villiers & Virat Kohli vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2015

210* - KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock vs KKR, Mumbai DYP, 2022

210 - Sai Sudharsan & Shubman Gill vs CSK, Ahmedabad, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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