Delhi Capitals batter KL Rahul has played down his most recent personal landmark after surpassing MS Dhoni on the IPL’s all-time run list, stressing that silverware—not individual numbers—is what motivates him most. Speaking on JioStar’s “Superstars”, Rahul said he only realised the scale of the achievement after the fact, and quickly redirected the focus back to team success.
Rahul shrugs off run milestone
Rahul admitted he was initially unaware that he had overtaken Dhoni, saying it didn’t properly register until later. He then underlined the milestone he would genuinely like to match: Dhoni’s five IPL titles, won during his CSK era.
“I didn’t even realise I had gone past Mahi bhai on the IPL’s all-time run-scorers list,” Rahul said. He added that the benchmark he cares about most is “his five IPL trophies” rather than the next set of runs on the record board.
At a glance
- KL Rahul moved past MS Dhoni to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL history.
- He now has 5,579 IPL runs from 152 matches and 143 innings, averaging 46.88 at a strike rate of 138.37.
- His IPL record includes six centuries and 42 fifties.
- In 2026, Rahul has scored 433 runs in nine matches (average 54.13, strike rate 185.84).
- Delhi Capitals are sixth in the points table with four wins from nine matches.
Rahul also acknowledged that long careers make personal achievements feel meaningful. He said milestones serve as reassurance that hard work and the sacrifices behind it are paying off, but insisted that cricket’s real currency is collective performance.
“When you have a long career, personal achievements do feel special. They tell you that your hard work and sacrifices have paid off,” Rahul said. He followed it with a reminder that the sport is ultimately built around teamwork and trophies.
“But at the end of the day, cricket is a team sport. You want to win trophies. You want to be part of successful sides. That has always been my goal,” he added. Rahul’s message was consistent: his loyalty is to the goal of winning, regardless of which franchise he represents in a given season.
“Every season” mindset
Rahul reiterated that his approach does not change from one campaign to the next. He said he aims to give his best every season to win the IPL, regardless of the team wearing his jersey at the time.
“Every season, I give my best to win the IPL, no matter which team I play for. That matters the most to me,” Rahul said. He also clarified what would make him truly satisfied—adding as many trophies as possible to his legacy, matching Dhoni’s title count.
“Personal milestones are good. They reassure me that I am on the right track. But what would truly make me happy is winning as many trophies as MS Dhoni,” he concluded.
Where Rahul stands in IPL history
Rahul’s latest comments arrive after he passed Dhoni’s total of 5,528 runs. The feat lifts him to fifth place among IPL run-getters, with an overall haul of 5,579 runs across 152 matches and 143 innings.
His IPL batting numbers reflect both longevity and impact: an average of 46.88 and a strike rate of 138.37. He has also produced six centuries and 42 fifties in the league.
2026: big numbers and record feats
The 2026 season has seen Rahul in standout form, with 433 runs from nine matches. His output has come at an average of 54.13, while his strike rate has climbed to 185.84—an indication of how forcefully he has been finishing innings.
Rahul’s campaign has included milestone performances as well. He became only the third player in IPL history to score 150-plus, while also posting the highest individual score by an Indian in the tournament.
His dominance has also been felt in Delhi’s record books. Rahul struck the franchise’s fastest-ever century and now holds the DC record for the highest individual score.
But DC remain inconsistent
Despite Rahul’s brilliance, Delhi Capitals have not found the same level of consistency across matches. The side is currently positioned sixth in the points table, having managed just four wins from their first nine games.
For Rahul, however, the direction is unchanged. Personal milestones may continue to arrive, but he framed success as the ability to convert performances into trophies—keeping the pursuit of titles at the centre of his IPL journey.
