KL Rahul Smashes Historic 152 vs Punjab Kings, Athiya Says 'Just Insane'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 25 (NationPress) — KL Rahul delivered one of the most breathtaking innings in Indian Premier League (IPL) history on Saturday, April 25, smashing 152 runs off just 67 balls for Delhi Capitals against the Punjab Kings, becoming the highest individual scorer by any Indian batsman in IPL history. His wife and actress Athiya Shetty captured the nation's mood perfectly, taking to Instagram to call the knock "Just insane."
A Record-Breaking Innings for the Ages
KL Rahul's 152-run knock off 67 deliveries is now etched in IPL record books. He reached his century in a breathtaking 47 balls, before accelerating further to finish with 16 fours and 9 sixes to his name. The innings placed him third on the all-time IPL highest individual scores list, behind only Chris Gayle (175 for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013) and Brendon McCullum (158 for Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural 2008 season).
No Indian batsman had ever crossed the 150-run mark in a single IPL innings before this moment, making Rahul's performance a landmark achievement in domestic T20 cricket history in India.
Athiya Shetty and Ahan Shetty Lead the Praise
Actress Athiya Shetty, wife of KL Rahul, was visibly overwhelmed with pride as she took to her Instagram Stories to celebrate the milestone. She posted a video clip from the match with the caption "Ufffff @klrahul", followed by a separate story featuring a photograph of Rahul mid-innings with the words "Just insane" — a reaction that resonated with millions of cricket fans across the country.
Actor and Athiya's brother, Ahan Shetty, also joined in the celebration. Resharing a post from Delhi Capitals' official Instagram account, Ahan wrote on his story: "What have you done!?! Unbelievable @klrahul." The Shetty family's public outpouring of joy quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Mixed Emotions for Rahul Despite Historic Knock
Despite the personal milestone, the match did not end in Delhi Capitals' favour. Punjab Kings posted a mammoth total of 264 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, ultimately winning the contest. Rahul's heroics, while historic, could not secure a victory for his side.
Speaking after the match, KL Rahul acknowledged the physical toll of the innings, particularly in the sweltering April heat. "I've taken a beating due to the heat and needed to hydrate and recover. So it's mixed emotions at the moment. I hope I don't cramp later on," he said candidly, reflecting both the elation of a personal record and the disappointment of a team loss.
KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty: A Power Couple in the Spotlight
KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty married in an intimate ceremony on January 23, 2023, after dating for several years. The couple expanded their family when they welcomed their daughter, Evaarah, on March 24, 2025 — making this IPL season particularly special for the young family.
Rahul's return to dominant form in IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals has been one of the talking points of the tournament. His ability to anchor an innings while also accelerating at will has long made him one of India's most technically gifted T20 batsmen, and this knock may well be the defining innings of his domestic T20 career.
Historical Context and What This Means for Indian Cricket
This comes amid a broader conversation about KL Rahul's place in Indian cricket's white-ball setup. Having faced scrutiny over his strike rate in previous IPL seasons and international assignments, this innings serves as a definitive statement. Notably, Rahul has now scored the highest individual total ever by an Indian in the IPL — a record that had stood unchallenged since the format's inception in 2008.
The knock will likely reignite discussions around his selection for upcoming India national team assignments, particularly in T20 and ODI formats. With the ICC Champions Trophy cycle and future bilateral series on the horizon, selectors will be watching closely.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses toward its playoff stage, all eyes will remain on whether Delhi Capitals can leverage Rahul's explosive form to secure a top-four finish — and whether the wicketkeeper-batsman can sustain this level of performance deep into the tournament.