In a high-pressure state of affairs that examined India’s center order temperament, KL Rahul produced a scintillating century whereas batting at No. 5 within the ongoing second ODI in opposition to New Zealand on the Niranjan Shah Stadium. Strolling in with India wobbling, Rahul showcased composure, class, and managed aggression to carry the hosts to a aggressive 284/7 after 50 overs. His unbeaten 112 off 92 balls stood out as a knock of accountability and authority, underlining his rising significance in India’s ODI setup.
Strong begin units the platform for India
India’s innings started on a constructive notice after New Zealand gained the toss and opted to bowl. The opening pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma seemed fluent, including 70 runs for the primary wicket. Gill, main the facet, appeared in fantastic contact and anchored the early part with confidence. Nonetheless, as soon as the openers had been separated, the momentum dipped sharply as New Zealand’s bowlers utilized strain by means of disciplined strains and well timed breakthroughs.
The center overs proved difficult for India as wickets fell at common intervals. From a place of relative consolation, the hosts slipped to 118/4 in 23.3 overs, leaving the innings at a crossroads. With the highest order again within the pavilion, the accountability shifted squarely onto the shoulders of KL Rahul, who arrived with a transparent temporary — rebuild first, then speed up.
KL Rahul restore stability with Ravindra Jadeja
Rahul discovered a great companion in Ravindra Jadeja, and collectively the duo targeted on harm management. The pair added a priceless 73 runs for the fifth wicket, rotating strike effectively and punishing unfastened deliveries. Jadeja’s 27 offered essential assist earlier than his dismissal, however by then, Rahul had already set the tone for the ultimate assault.
100 sealed in type for Rahul
As soon as set, Rahul shifted gears seamlessly. Mixing class with energy, he focused the gaps and cleared the ropes when required. Within the remaining over of India’s innings, he introduced up his eighth ODI hundred in type with a towering six, a second that summed up his confidence and readability. Rahul remained unbeaten on 112, guiding India to a preventing whole of 284/7.
New Zealand’s bowlers had their moments, with Kristian Clarke rising because the decide with figures of three/56, however Rahul’s knock ensured India stayed aggressive.
Additionally READ: Fans react as India’s top order crumbles, losing four wickets cheaply against New Zealand in 2nd ODI at Rajkot
Right here’s how followers reacted:
💯
A KaLm and gritty century by @klrahul right here in Rajkot off simply 87 deliveries.
His eighth in ODIs 👏👏#TeamIndia #INDvNZ #2ndODI @IDFCfirstbank pic.twitter.com/DLBwZWBItx
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2026
100 of the best high quality from Kl Rahul.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 14, 2026
What a 💯 below strain @klrahul. A fantastic knock💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/zkjikm6OEn
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) January 14, 2026
The cricketing world must take a pause ⏸️ and admire this gem 💎 of a cricketer who all the time stepped up and rotate his bat regardless of the slot! The person who stands tall in disaster!
KL Rahul 💯🙌🏏🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/uF9fPu9Cyo— Rukshi Khan (@Rukshi_khan_) January 14, 2026
An innings of the best class @klrahul 🤌❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/1JS9gBWv4p
— Manjit (@CricManjit) January 14, 2026
At the moment, KL Rahul reminded us that he’s not made just for ending.
He’s a participant made for hundreds of years and half-centuries. He sacrificed his top-order batting place just for the crew’s mixture. pic.twitter.com/ydD1MAv3zk
— Lordgod 🚩™ (@LordGod188) January 14, 2026
First Centurion of India of 2026
I like it, What a knock 🤌❤️ @klrahul pic.twitter.com/UZWe3doro4— Manjit (@CricManjit) January 14, 2026
12 off the ultimate over.
KL Rahul edges it fantastic and finishes unbeaten — a knock constructed on management, then capped with intent.
India submit 284/7 thanks largely to his composure below strain.
pic.twitter.com/BgsCaVKJIt— Cricket Gyani🏏💡 (@CSyncing) January 14, 2026
By no means doubt KL Rahul below Shubman Gill’s captaincy, India’s man of crises ! 🙇
For context :- KL Rahul below Gill
– 958 runs, 60 common, 4 lots of 😮💨#INDvNZ #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/zkXwt8BLCi
— Prateek (@prateek_295) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul was the disaster man for India, constructing a fledgling Indian innings first after which taking them to a rating the place they will struggle; and possibly win this sport#IndvsNZ
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 14, 2026
Bow all the way down to KL Rahul.
One of the best factor about him is that when the pitch is the hardest, he will probably be there, standing robust, be it in Exams or ODIs. He’s not somebody who does stat-padding on flat pitches.
Most underrated man in our crew. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/M8zk7aGcDP
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 14, 2026
Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill appreciating KL Rahul’s knock. 👏#KLRahul #ViratKohli #ViratKohli𓃵 #ShubmanGill #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/EZ2tAuJ6w0
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul :
> Can open or bat within the center order
> Can end video games below strain
> Can captain and lead the crew
> Adapts to any batting place or function
> Efficient throughout Exams, ODIs, and T20s
> Wicketkeeper-batsman, including stability to the crew
> Calm, technically sound, and… pic.twitter.com/jpFPEVCb3Q— Dev (@refocus21) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul
He’s higher opener than gill
He’s higher finisher than Dhoni
He’s higher wicketkeeper than pant
He’s higher captain than Kohli
KL RAHUL MAN OF CRISIS #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/I5x7j7df1n— Laal kaptaan (@ajay_dhojak07) January 14, 2026
KL RAHUL HAS 64.21 AVERAGE & 99.59 STRIKE RATE AT NUMBER 5 IN ODIs 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GIi93fIXFO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 14, 2026
– 4 wickets are down for 118
– runrate is under 5,
– solely bowl all rounders left,
– greater than half overs are left,
– Sport seemed lengthy goneThen KL Rahul mentioned, I’ve achieved it earlier than I’ll do it once more. He single handedly rescued India’s inning at the moment❤️pic.twitter.com/tDdiHDKcEg
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul delivers a commanding unbeaten 112 off 92 balls in Rajkot. Strolling in at No.5 throughout a collapse, he took cost of the innings and lifted India to a aggressive 284 for 7 with a composed and authoritative knock. #INDvsNZpic.twitter.com/0tTEDKKpLH
— SKH (@Skh9864) January 14, 2026
KL RAHUL AT NO.5 IN ODI CRICKET:
Innings – 33.
Runs – 1477.
Common – 64.21.
Strike charge – 99.4.
Tons of – 3.
Fifties – 10.– Class KL Rahul has been phenomenal at No.5 for India in ODIs! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/pJbqBeSdHb
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 14, 2026
🗣 : You simply want 4 Runs to finish your Century, play fastidiously.
In the meantime Selfless KL Rahul 💀🔥pic.twitter.com/YcMr1bFOyb
— Atharv Shukla (@Atharb_) January 14, 2026
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