KL Rahul’s Viral Victory Moment
KL Rahul, the esteemed wicketkeeper-batter for Delhi Capitals, recently set social media ablaze with his dynamic celebration after conquering Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a thrilling IPL matchup. Following his critical performance in India’s ICC Champions Trophy, Rahul delivered a stellar performance by scoring an unbeaten 93 from 53 balls, featuring seven breathtaking fours and six towering sixes.
Behind the Scenes of the Celebration
In an enlightening video released by Delhi Capitals, Rahul shared, “This is a special place for me. This celebration was inspired by one of my favourite movies, Kantara. It’s a small reminder that this ground, this turf, where I have grown, belongs to me.”
Inspiration from the Silver Screen
The movie ‘Kantara’, a 2022 Kannada hit starring Rishabh Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, and Achyuth Kumar, features a powerful scene where a character asserts his dominion by driving a sword into the ground, paralleling Rahul’s emphatic gesture of tapping his bat and claiming the stadium.
Karnataka’s Home Hero
Rahul’s history at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is both extensive and impressive:
- Played the majority of his domestic cricket here and represented RCB in IPL seasons 2013 and 2016.
- In 20 T20 matches at this venue, amassed 544 runs with an average of 41.84 and a strike rate above 145.
- Recorded 475 runs across 18 IPL matches at an average of 43.18 and a strike rate near 144.
- Scored a rapid 102 off 62 balls against the Netherlands in 2023, marking the fastest century by an Indian in a Cricket World Cup.
Winning Against the Odds
Despite a challenging start, Delhi Capitals, bolstered by Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam’s spin mastery, secured a strategic win by restricting RCB to 163/7. Rahul’s unbroken partnership of 111 runs with Tristan Stubbs was pivotal, guiding their team to a remarkable victory and maintaining their second-place standing in the league.
KL Rahul, celebrating his third match of the season with 185 runs and two half-centuries, not only became the ‘Player of the Match’ but also continued to establish his indelible mark on the grounds of M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Related: KL Rahul’s Masterclass Leads to Heartbreak for RCB Despite Home Advantage
Last Updated: April 11, 2025
