KL Rahul’s Unbeaten Century Lifts India to 284/7 Against New Zealand

Rajkot, Jan 2026 : Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul produced a superb unbeaten century to anchor India’s innings as the hosts posted a competitive 284 for 7 against New Zealand in the second One-Day International at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday. Rahul’s composed yet authoritative knock of 112 not out off 92 balls proved decisive on a challenging, two-paced surface where batting became increasingly difficult as the innings progressed.

After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit the early conditions. His decision appeared justified initially, as Kyle Jamieson extracted movement with the new ball and tested India’s top order with disciplined lines and lengths. Despite the probing spell, India’s openers negotiated the early phase cautiously to reach 57 without loss at the end of the first Power-play.

While Rohit Sharma struggled to dominate and Virat Kohli failed to make a significant impact at the top, Shubman Gill looked fluent and confident. Gill kept the scoreboard ticking with crisp strokeplay and brought up his half-century off just 47 balls, marking his 18th ODI fifty. However, Jamieson’s return to the attack proved crucial, as Gill mistimed a pull shot and was caught at mid-on for 56, triggering a sudden collapse.

India slipped from a steady 99 for 1 to a precarious 118 for 4 as Shreyas Iyer chipped a return catch to mid-off and Kohli chopped on to his stumps, both falling to Kristian Clarke. Rohit had earlier departed for 24, slicing a cross-seam delivery from Clarke to deep cover, leaving the middle order under pressure.

At that stage, KL Rahul took charge of the recovery. Showing patience and excellent shot selection, he combined with Ravindra Jadeja to stitch together a vital 73-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The pair focused on rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries, stabilising the innings on a pitch that was offering variable bounce and pace.

Jadeja’s stay ended on 27 when Michael Bracewell produced a sharp caught-and-bowled effort, but Rahul continued unfazed. With boundaries becoming scarce, he farmed the strike smartly and began to accelerate after the second drinks break. He reached his half-century in fortuitous fashion, edging Jamieson for four, before displaying innovation by reverse-sweeping Bracewell to the boundary.

Lower-order contributions added useful runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a brisk 20 before falling to Zak Foulkes, while debutant left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox claimed his maiden international wicket as Harshit Rana holed out to long-on. Despite losing partners, Rahul maintained control of the innings, finding gaps with elegant drives, slices, and pulls.

Rahul brought up his eighth ODI century in style, thumping a full toss from Jamieson over long-on for six. He then struck two more boundaries off Foulkes in the final overs to push India past the 280 mark. His innings, decorated with 11 fours and a six, ensured India posted a strong total at a venue where all previous ODIs had been won by teams batting first.

With 284 on the board, India left New Zealand with a stiff chase under lights, setting the stage for a compelling second half of the contest.

Brief scores:
India 284/7 in 50 overs (KL Rahul 112*; Shubman Gill 56; Kristian Clarke 3/56, Michael Bracewell 1/34) vs New Zealand.

Team Maverick.