India, April 25 -- KL Rahul's innings against the Punjab Kings moved from a Delhi Capitals rescue act to a personal landmark statement. Walking in with Delhi needing control after Axar Patel chose to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Rahul turned a strong start into one of the defining knocks of DC's season.

The hundred became Rahul's sixth century in the IPL, putting him in rare company among Indian batters in the tournament's history. It also came on the same afternoon when he crossed MS Dhoni's career IPL runs tally, moving to sixth on the all-time run-scorers' list and adding weight to an innings that already carried match significance.

Rahul had entered the game needing only 13 runs to go past Dhoni. He got there early, with a...