Rahul smashes Kings XI to IPL victory

Lokesh Rahul smashed the fastest fifty in IPL history to help the Kings XI Punjab get their season off to winning start by beating the Delhi Daredevils by six on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 167, the Kings XI got off to a rollicking start as opener Rahul blazed his way to 51 off just 16 balls, his half-century coming off 14 deliveries which beat the record of 15 held jointly by Yusuf Pathan and Sunil Narine.

Karun Nair contributed exactly 50, off 33 balls, while David Miller (24 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (22 not out) were there at the end as the Kings XI reached the target with only four wickets down and seven balls to spare.

Earlier, Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir struck 55 from 42 balls but failed to receive the necessary support from his teammates as the visitors posted a below-par total of 166/7 in their 20 overs.

Rishabh Pant scored 28 while Chris Morris propelled the total with 27 not out off 16 balls at the end.

Afghanistan’s 17-year-old leg-spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was making his IPL debut for the Kings XI, took 2/28 in four overs while India spinner Ravi Ashwin took 1/23.