RR vs CSK IPL 2025: Nitish Rana joins Elite List, creates Unique Milestone as Rajasthan Royals Player

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Nitish Rana produced a knock for the ages against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati in IPL 2025.

The southpaw scored a blistering 81 off just 36 balls, with 58 of those runs coming inside the powerplay.

Coming in at No. 3 after an early blow, Rana wasted no time in asserting himself. He began by threading a boundary behind square and followed it up with a monstrous six over deep third, setting the tone for a high-octane innings. His fifty came in just 21 balls and he managed to score it within the powerplay itself.

Rana was particularly severe on Jamie Overton and Khaleel Ahmed, using their pace against them with smart angles and clever footwork. Even the wily Ravichandran Ashwin wasn't spared, as Rana swept and skipped down the track with authority.

Nitish Rana creates Unique Record

By the time the powerplay ended, Rana had smashed 58 off 22 balls - putting himself in elite company for most runs scored within the first six overs by a No. 3 or lower in IPL history. The former KKR player thus has become only the fifth player in IPL history to score a fifty within powerplay while not opening the innings.

In the history of IPL, Suresh Raina's amazing 87 off just 25 balls remains as the highest score by a player within the powerplay despite not opening the batting.

He eventually finished with a sparkling 81 off 36, laying the perfect platform for a big RR total and securing a Player of the Match performance.

Nitish Rana, with his knock, also became the first Rajasthan Royals non-opener to score a fifty within powerplay of an IPL match.

Most Runs in IPL within Powerplay by a No. 3 or Lower Batter