KL Rahul Shines with Century Against NZ, Dominates Middle-Order
KL Rahul showcased his exceptional batting skills as he scored a century in the second ODI against New Zealand, held at Rajkot on Wednesday. This marked his eighth ODI hundred, solidifying his reputation as a reliable middle-order batter and finisher.
KL Rahul’s Impactful Performance
Rahul came to bat when India was struggling at three wickets for 115 runs. He witnessed Virat Kohli’s dismissal for just 23 runs but remained undeterred. Rahul continued to build his innings, finishing with an impressive score of 112 not out off 92 balls, which included 12 fours and a six. His strike rate was an impressive 121.74.
Finishing Prowess in Numbers
Since 2025, KL Rahul has excelled in the middle-order, particularly during the final overs. He has amassed 283 runs from overs 41 to 50 at a remarkable strike rate of 140.09. This performance ranks him among the top finishers in ODIs, following notable players like:
- Justin Greaves (West Indies) – 194 runs at a strike rate of 160.3
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) – 244 runs at a strike rate of 157.4
- Janith Liyanage (Sri Lanka) – 201 runs at a strike rate of 147.8
During the 41st over, Rahul scored 52 runs from 53 balls. He accelerated his scoring by adding 60 runs from just 39 balls to help set a competitive total.
KL Rahul at Number Five and Six
KL Rahul has also thrived at number five, accumulating 1,477 runs in 33 innings at an average of 64.21. His strike rate at this position stands at 99.59, including three centuries and ten fifties.
As a finisher at number six, he has scored 332 runs in 12 innings at an average of 47.42. His adaptability ensures he often either completes the innings successfully or maintains the game in India’s favor. Over the last year, batting mainly at six, he has scored 508 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 72.57.
Strong Record Against New Zealand
KL Rahul has demonstrated consistent performance against New Zealand, accumulating 469 runs in 10 ODIs, averaging 93.8 with a strike rate exceeding 111. He has scored two centuries and a fifty, with a personal best of 112 not out.
Match Summary
In the match, New Zealand chose to bowl first after winning the toss. The Indian opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill produced a strong 70-run stand. Rohit scored 24 runs, while Gill contributed 56. However, the innings slowed down after losing wickets, thanks to Kristian Clarke’s outstanding bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for 56 runs.
Rahul’s partnerships, including a 73-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (27) and a 57-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy (20), helped India post a total of 284 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
