KL Rahul Shines with 8th ODI Hundred as India Post 284 vs New Zealand

The packed crowd at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot was hoping to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play well in the second ODI against New Zealand. However, it was KL Rahul who hogged all the limelight with the bat as the wicketkeeper-batter stepped up for the hosts after the two stalwarts couldn't convert their starts earlier.

Rahul scored his eighth ODI century at a time when most Indian batters, except Shubman Gill, could not even score 30 runs. With this hundred, Rahul also went past former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who scored only seven ODI centuries in his 334-match career. However, Rahul did so in only the 93rd ODI of his career, stepping up in tough times for the team.

KL Rahul Shines with a Brilliant Century When India Needed Him Most

He also became the first Indian player to score a century at the venue in ODIs, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan who was earlier dismissed in the 90s. Thanks to Rahul's majestic knock, India posted 284 runs on the board in their 50 overs for the loss of seven wickets as he remained unbeaten on 112 runs off just 92 deliveries. He smashed 11 fours and a six during his stay in the middle after coming out to bat in the 22nd over of the innings.

It was not easy for KL Rahul to bat as the pitch started to turn during the middle overs. Virat Kohli also got out early for 23 runs. Despite this, Rahul stayed calm and played his innings very well, scoring at the right pace. He stitched 73 runs for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja to rebuild the innings and then launched the attack to the New Zealand bowlers in the death overs.

KL Rahul stepped up for India when the team was in trouble. At one point, scoring runs looked very difficult because of New Zealand’s strong bowling, but Rahul played well and helped India put up a decent total. With the series up for grabs, India will have to bowl well now to defend the target of 285 runs. The average first innings score at this venue is 322, which is why, for now New Zealand will be the happier side but even they will need someone to play a KL Rahul-like innings in the chase.