Rajkot, Jan 14 (UNI) A superb unbeaten century by KL Rahul anchored India’s innings as the hosts posted a competitive 284 for seven against New Zealand in the second One-Day International of the New Zealand tour of India at the Niranjan Shah Stadium here on Wednesday.
Put in to bat after New Zealand won the toss and elected to field, India lost Rohit Sharma in the 13th over. Rohit scored 24 off 38 balls with four boundaries before edging Kristian Clarke to Will Young. Skipper Shubman Gill looked fluent in his 56 off 53 balls, striking nine fours and a six, but his dismissal to Kyle Jamieson triggered a wobble.
India slipped from 99 for one to 118 for four as Virat Kohli (23) was bowled and Shreyas Iyer (8) edged behind, both falling to Clarke, who exploited movement and bounce effectively in the middle overs to finish as New Zealand’s most successful bowler.
With India in a spot of bother, Rahul held the innings together with remarkable composure. The wicketkeeper-batsman began cautiously, focusing on strike rotation and stability during a prolonged boundary drought. He brought up his half-century with a fortunate edge past third man before gradually expanding his strokeplay with crisp drives through extra cover, deft sweeps and assured footwork against the spinners.
Rahul found support from Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with 27, before Nitish Kumar Reddy provided late momentum with a brisk 20 off 21 balls. As the innings entered the death overs, Rahul shifted gears decisively, piercing the off-side with authority and attacking the bowlers with confidence.
His eighth ODI hundred came in the 49th over in style — a full toss from Kyle Jamieson was dispatched over long-on for a towering six. Rahul removed his helmet and waved his bat to the spectators, visibly relaxed after steering India out of trouble. From 118 for four, he batted with admirable calmness and paced his innings to perfection.
India added 93 runs in the final 12 overs to finish on 284 for seven from 50 overs, with Rahul remaining unbeaten on 112 off 92 balls, including 11 fours and a six.
For New Zealand, Clarke returned figures of three for 56, while Michael Bracewell was economical with one for 34 from his 10 overs. Jayden Lennox impressed with figures of one for 42, as Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes claimed a wicket each.
At the innings break, New Zealand were set a target of 285 as India looked to capitalise on Rahul’s match-defining knock.
