Rahul hits whirlwind IPL 50 off 14 balls

OPENING batsman Lokesh Rahul has smashed the fastest half-century in Indian Premier League history off only 14 balls and led his new franchise Kings XI Punjab to a six-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils.

Sunil Narine nearly matched Rahul when he hit 50 off 17 balls in Kolkata Knight Riders’ four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens in Sunday’s other match.

Rahul’s 51 featured six fours and four sixes as Punjab reached 4-167 in 18.5 overs, with Karun Nair (50 off 33 balls) also in fine form.

Delhi, after being sent in by new Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin, scored 7-166.

“For years, I’ve been branded a Test cricketer,” Rahul said. “It’s good for me to be up there, creating history and breaking records. Hope to continue this way.”

A 17-year-old spinner, Mujeebur Rahman, picked up 2-28 off four overs and the Afghan ran out top scorer Gautam Gambhir (55) to cap a dream IPL debut as youngest-ever player.

Australia’s Dan Christian made 13 for Delhi while countryman Marcus Stoinis took 0-7 from his solitary over.

At Eden Gardens, Narine’s brisk half century lifted Kolkata, who boast Mitchell Johnson and Chris Lynn in their lineup, to 6-177 in 18.5 overs after Bangalore scored 7-176.

AB de Villiers (44 off 23) and captain Virat Kohli (31 off 33) were going strong before falling to part-time spinner Nitish Rana in the 15th over and Bangalore got 44 off its last five overs.

De Villiers smashed Rana for a six off the first ball but holed out at mid-on and Kohli missed out on a fuller delivery and was clean bowled.

“We were 15 short with the bat, myself included,” Kohli said. “Me and AB getting out in two balls to a part-timer was game-changing as well.”