Kannur Lokesh Rahul, popularly known as KL Rahul, made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he played only 5 matches and made just 20 runs.
KL Rahul IPL Career
In 2014, he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 1 crore and played 11 matches and scored 166 runs. His mediocre run continued in 2015, where he played 9 matches and scored only 142 runs.
KL Rahul’s IPL Stats:
| Year | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s |
| 2021 | 13 | 626 | 62.60 | 13.80 | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 | 14 | 670 | 55.83 | 129.34 | 1 | 5 |
| 2019 | 14 | 593 | 53.90 | 135.38 | 1 | 6 |
| 2018 | 14 | 659 | 54.91 | 158.41 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| 2016 | 14 | 397 | 44.11 | 146.49 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 | 142 | 28.40 | 112.69 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 166 | 20.75 | 101.21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | 20 | 10.00 | 125.00 | 0 | 0 |
In 2016, Rahul was bought back by RCB and there was no looking back for him after that. He scored 397 runs in that season with the highest score of 68*. He had 4 half-centuries registered to his name in 14 matches. He also became the 11th highest run-scorer and RCB’s third in that season.
After missing the tournament in 2017 due to a shoulder injury, Rahul was bought by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018, for Rs 11 crore. In his opening match for PBKS, he registered the fastest 50 in IPL history. He reached the milestone in just 14 balls. He made a total of 659 runs with the highest score of 95* and 6 half-centuries to his name.
In 2019, Rahul scored his maiden ton against Mumbai Indians and made a total of 593 runs in 14 matches. He scored 90+ runs thrice in the season and had a total of 6 half-centuries in his kitty. He finished as the highest run-scorer for PBKS and the second highest run-scorer of that season.
Before the beginning of IPL 2020, Rahul was named as captain of PBKS after Ravichandran Ashwin (former captain) was traded to Delhi Capitals. The batter played a mind blowing innings of 132* in just 69 balls against RCB and broke the record of the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in an IPL match and by any captain.
He made a total of 670 runs at an average of 55.83 and at a strike rate of 129.34. He was also awarded with the Orange Cap for IPL 2020, as he finished as the highest run-scorer of the season.
In 2021, Rahul made a total of 626 runs in 13 matches. He scored 91 in just 50 balls in the opening match against Rajasthan Royals and 98 against RCB. He was the second highest run-scorer of the season, defeated by Ruturaj Gaikwad of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Ahead of IPL 2022, Rahul ended his journey with PBKS and was drafted by the new franchise, Lucknow Super Giants as their skipper for Rs 17 crores.
In his entire IPL run, he has scored a total of 3273 runs in 94 matches, at an average of 47.73 and at a strike rate of 136.37. Rahul has got 2 centuries and 27 half-centuries in his kitty.
KL Rahul’s 4s and 6s in IPL History
| Year | Matches | 4s | 6s |
| 2021 | 14 | 48 | 30 |
| 2020 | 14 | 58 | 23 |
| 2019 | 14 | 49 | 25 |
| 2018 | 14 | 66 | 32 |
| 2017 | NA | NA | NA |
| 2016 | 14 | 37 | 16 |
| 2015 | 9 | 8 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 | 12 |
| 2013 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
KL Rahul’s IPL Auction Price:
| Year | Auction Price |
| 2022 | Rs 17 crore |
| 2021 | Rs 11 crore |
| 2020 | Rs 11 crore |
| 2019 | Rs 11 crore |
| 2018 | Rs 11 crore |
| 2017 | Rs 1 crore |
| 2016 | Rs 1 crore |
| 2015 | Rs 1 crore |
| 2014 | Rs 1 crore |
| 2013 | Rs 10 Lakh |
