KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152, the highest T20 score by an Indian, was overshadowed as Punjab Kings completed the largest successful chase in Indian Premier League (IPL) history with a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Rahul’s remarkable innings, which featured 16 fours and nine sixes off 67 balls, helped Delhi post a daunting total of 264 for 2. His 220-run partnership with Nitish Rana, who contributed 91, fueled the towering score.

Despite Delhi’s imposing total, Punjab’s openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh responded aggressively, compiling a 126-run stand in just 42 deliveries. Prabhsimran struck a quickfire 76 from 26 balls, including five sixes, to set the tone for the chase. After losing three wickets in quick succession, Punjab’s captain Shreyas Iyer capitalized on a series of reprieves to guide his team across the finish line with seven balls to spare.

Delhi’s bowling attack was notably weakened by the injury to their key pacer Lungi Ngidi, who was stretchered off the field after a fall while attempting a catch early in the innings. Ngidi was taken to the hospital after hitting the back of his head on the pitch. Additionally, Iyer was dropped twice on his way to an unbeaten 71, once by substitute fielder Karun Nair and once by paceman Vijaykumar Vyshak. Iyer leveraged these breakthroughs to produce his fourth fifty in five IPL innings.

Punjab’s chase was marked by explosive hitting from the outset, with Arya and Prabhsimran each hitting five sixes in the Powerplay. Shreyas Iyer’s composed finish ultimately propelled Punjab past their own previous record for the highest successful IPL run chase, surpassing the 262-run target they had set earlier this season against Kolkata Knight Riders.

While Rahul’s innings was celebrated for its classical elegance and power, it ultimately proved insufficient in the face of Punjab’s aggressive and calculated batting display. This win extended Punjab Kings’ unbeaten start to the tournament and reinforced their position atop the IPL leaderboard.