Stats: KL Rahul becomes the fastest Indian to reach 2000 IPL runs

After losing their opening game against Delhi Capitals in a Super Over encounter, KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab locked horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the sixth match of IPL 2020. The Chris Gayle-less Punjab side was put in to bat first by RCB skipper Virat Kohli.

Interestingly, two Bangalore lads– Rahul and Mayank Agarwal stepped in the middle to open KXIP’s innings. As many as eight players in the Punjab contingent have previously been a part of RCB set-up. Agarwal, who had slammed an impressive 89 against DC, was expecting to continue his momentum and add some vital runs at the start, especially in Gayle’s truancy. The Rahul-Agarwal duo stitched a half-century opening stand.

However, Agarwal couldn’t repeat his last-match heroics after he was bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal just after the Powerplay, leaving KXIP reeling at 57/1. Agarwal’s departure didn’t curb Punjab’s run-flow as skipper KL Rahul gathered 36 runs in the first nine overs. The right-hander scored 9 fours in his knock and in the process, paved his way into the list of fastest batsmen to score 2000 IPL runs. He is now the fastest Indian player to amass 2000 runs in the tournament.

Chris Gayle is the fastest batsman to score 2000 IPL runs

Rahul ticked the 2000-run mark in his 60th inning and became the third-fastest batsman achieve the milestone. Before shifting his base to KXIP, Rahul was previously also a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Anticipated to lead KXIP from the front this season, the wicketkeeper-batsman will aim to steer Punjab closer to their maiden IPL trophy.

Talking about the fastest batsmen to score 2000 IPL runs, West Indies’ stalwart Chris Gayle stands head and shoulders above other. The explosive opener had amassed 2000 IPL runs in just 48 innings. The second in the list is Shaun Marsh, who had ticked the 2000-run mark in 52 innings. Marsh had an exemplary 2008 season with KXIP where he had bagged the Orange Cap, scoring a staggering 616 runs in just 11 games.

The fourth name in the list, after KL Rahul, is Mumbai Indians stalwart, Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster had cruised to the 2000-run mark in 63 innings, just three more than Rahul. The fifth in the list is Australia all-rounder Shane Watson, who is still going strong in the IPL. The veteran is a vital cog in MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings’ set-up.