Mohali: Kings XI Punjab opener Lokesh Rahul became the fastest player to notch up a half-century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, here on Sunday.
Playing his first match for his new franchise, Rahul needed just 14 balls to bring up the milestone in a blistering start to KXIP's run-chase against Delhi Daredevils.
The record was earlier held jointly by Yusuf Pathan and Sunil Naraine who raced to 50 runs in 15 balls. While Narine scored his fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017, Pathan demolished the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling line-up in 2014.
Lokesh Rahul was bought by Kings XI for a whopping Rs. 11 crore in the IPL auction in January.
Fastest IPL half-centuries
KL Rahul – 14 balls (Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils, 2018)
Yusuf Pathan– 15 balls (Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2014)
Sunil Narine – 15 balls (Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2017)
Suresh Raina – 16 balls (Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab, 2014)
Adam Gilchrist – 17 balls (Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils, 2009)