He actually didn’t even realize he’d passed Dhoni on the list of all-time IPL run scorers, and isn’t making a big deal out of it. After his huge 152 not out for Delhi Capitals, he really emphasised that winning trophies is what matters and he’s aiming for five championships to equal Dhoni’s record.
This season Rahul’s great form has brought his total to 5,580 runs in 144 IPL innings, putting him fifth best of all time. Dhoni has 5,439 in 242 innings and is seventh. Rahul’s fantastic 67 balls to 152 not out against Punjab Kings moved him above Dhoni and Suresh Raina on the all-time list.
Rahul crosses Dhoni: the numbers behind the milestone
Rahul isn’t just getting a lot of runs; he’s doing so efficiently. He gets an average of 46.50 runs each game and scores at a speed of 138.39. Dhoni over his long career averaged 38.30 with a speed of 137.45, showing how different positions in the team and the time period you play in can change how a player’s career goes.
Here are the key numbers from the IPL run charts milestone:
– Rahul: 5,580 runs in 144 innings
– Average 46.50, strike rate 138.39
– Dhoni: 5,439 runs in 242 innings
– Average 38.30, strike rate 137.45
That 152 that he didn’t lose any wickets to make, against Punjab Kings in New Delhi, is now a record for this season. It proves Rahul is one of the very best run-getters in the league and crucially helped Delhi Capitals at a very important time.
Trophies over totals: Rahul’s Dhoni benchmark
Rahul said he almost missed the fact he’d gone past Dhoni on the all-time run-scorer’s list. He said the record he does want to match with Dhoni is Dhoni’s five IPL trophies with Chennai Super Kings.
He went on to say that while personal achievements are nice when you’ve played for a long time and show your work and sacrifices have paid off, cricket is a team game at the end of the day.
He wants to win trophies and be part of a team that does win. That’s always been his goal, and every year he tries his hardest to win the IPL, no matter which team he is playing for; that’s what matters to him most.
Milestones for himself are good, he says, because they tell him he’s going in the right direction. But he’d be much happier winning as many trophies as Dhoni.
Opening role brings clarity at Delhi Capitals
Rahul also said having a clear, set position in the team has improved his play. Being an opening batter for Delhi Capitals makes things a little easier. He knows where he’ll be batting, and that it’s a permanent position, which helps him get ready.
Of course, in a team sport, nothing is completely certain. You might have to move up or down the batting order and be able to change how you think.
But knowing he’ll mostly be opening the batting at the start of the season allows him to have a clear plan for the game. He understands what he needs to do this season.
He’s almost always batted at the top of the order in T20 and the IPL. It’s a place he’s spent a lot of time, and he knows how to play his game.
He understands what he needs to do to help the team, and it’s a role he’s comfortable in. He’s pleased to be at the top of the order.
Despite Rahul playing really well, Delhi Capitals haven’t been very consistent. They are seventh in the league with three wins and five losses. Rahul has been the most important batter for them, scoring 358 runs in eight games with an average of 51.14.
A Bengaluru bond that keeps delivering
Rahul thinks his connection with the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is why he does so well there. He says he doesn’t do anything different against Royal Challengers Bangalore. If he has a special way of thinking when he plays there, why can’t he use it against all teams? He hasn’t figured that out. But the Chinnaswamy stadium is special to him.
He grew up in Bangalore and watched players there, and dreamed of playing on that pitch. So, he has a certain feeling when he goes there. It’s not just against Bangalore; he’s also done well in international games there. Some stadiums just feel right.
He’s happy he’s consistently done well against Bangalore, who are the current champions. As an athlete, you want to push yourself and play your best against good teams. That’s when something inside you seems to switch on.
He scored 57 runs from 34 balls against Bangalore in Bangalore this season, helping Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket win. Performances like this show how important Rahul is, wherever and however he’s playing.
What it means for DC’s season
But despite all his successes, Rahul’s main aim is for the team to win prizes. He keeps saying that every year, he wants to do everything he can to win the IPL, no matter which team he’s on.
With eight games played and Delhi seventh, the next step is to turn his runs into wins. Rahul knowing exactly what he’s doing as an opener, and being able to deliver in big moments, will be key to the team improving.
