KL Rahul etched his name into the record books during the 2nd ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century against the Kiwis, producing a sublime knock that combined elegance, grit, and authority.
While India eventually ended on the losing side, Rahul's innings stood tall as the defining highlight of the match — both for its historical significance and the sheer quality of strokeplay on display at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
A historic first for an Indian wicketkeeper
Walking in with India under pressure, KL Rahul not only stabilized the innings but also achieved a landmark no Indian wicketkeeper had managed before: an ODI hundred against New Zealand. Legends like MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant had come close on several occasions, but Rahul became the first to cross the three-figure mark, adding a special layer of history to his knock.
Masterclass under pressure
Batting at No. 5, Rahul showcased supreme composure to craft an unbeaten 112 off 92 balls, anchoring India to a competitive 284/7. He paced his innings intelligently, absorbing pressure early before accelerating with precision in the latter half. His partnership-building ability ensured India recovered from early setbacks.
Gorgeous shots that lit up Rajkot
Rahul's century was a treat for purists. His flowing cover drives, crisp square cuts, effortless flicks through mid-wicket, and late dabs against pace highlighted his technical excellence. Against spin, he used his feet beautifully, finding gaps rather than forcing power: a reminder of his classical batting foundation.
A celebration to remember
On reaching his hundred, Rahul raised his bat to the applauding crowd, removed his helmet, and did his new celebration which he dedicated to his daughter, something which was also seen few days back when he scored a Test century. It was indeed a lovely moment!
Records & milestones achieved
Rahul's knock rewrote multiple records: First Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century vs New Zealand. His eighth ODI hundred overall. The first ODI century by an Indian batter at Rajkot. Surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin's tally of ODI centuries.
Match Result
Despite Rahul's heroics, New Zealand chased down the target with ease, powered by an unbeaten 131 from Daryl Mitchell and solid support from Will Young, winning by seven wickets to level the series 1-1.
