IPL 2018, KXIP vs DD: KL Rahul's explosive half-century is SK Turning Point of the Match

KL Rahul repaid the 11 crores that Kings XI Punjab paid for him at the auction with an explosive knock against Delhi Daredevils in the second match of IPL 2018. Opening the innings for KXIP, the Karnataka batsman added 51 runs in his 16 balls long stay at the crease.

Daredevils, after being put into bat had put on a decent total on the board, that of 166 runs. Gautam Gambhir, upon his return to the Delhi-based franchise, had scored a half-century and a strong finish to the innings from Morris had given DD the momentum going into the second half.

However, Rahul came out with all guns blazing and slammed the fastest ever IPL half-century, in 14 deliveries - 0, 2, 0, 6, 4, 6, 6, 4, 1, 4, 6, 6, 4, 4. This blitzkrieg from the former RCB batsman completely turned the match in the home team's favour. Even though it seemed that Delhi might find a way into the game, things didn't get out of hands for Punjab.

Karun Nair, Rahul's Karnataka teammate, hit a half-century himself and David Miller played a patient 24-run innings to comfortably see Punjab through with seven balls to spare.

Gambhir's half-century takes DD to a respectable score

Gambhir, upon his return, batted brilliantly and anchored the DD innings to take them to a respectable total. The skipper was a part of a couple of crucial partnerships, a 42 runs stand with Shreyas Iyer with the second wicket and added 34 runs with Rishabh Pant later for the fourth wicket.

He was run out by the young Afghan debutant Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman on 55 runs, which he scored off 42 deliveries courtesy five boundaries and a maximum. Morris's 27-run knock lower down the order then helped Delhi to a total of 166.

However, all of that was undone by KL Rahul's explosive knock.