In a high-pressure situation that tested India’s middle order temperament, KL Rahul produced a scintillating century while batting at No. 5 in the ongoing second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. Walking in with India wobbling, Rahul showcased composure, class, and controlled aggression to lift the hosts to a competitive 284/7 after 50 overs. His unbeaten 112 off 92 balls stood out as a knock of responsibility and authority, underlining his growing importance in India’s ODI setup.
Solid start sets the platform for India
India’s innings began on a positive note after New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl. The opening pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma looked fluent, adding 70 runs for the first wicket. Gill, leading the side, appeared in fine touch and anchored the early phase with confidence. However, once the openers were separated, the momentum dipped sharply as New Zealand’s bowlers applied pressure through disciplined lines and timely breakthroughs.
The middle overs proved challenging for India as wickets fell at regular intervals. From a position of relative comfort, the hosts slipped to 118/4 in 23.3 overs, leaving the innings at a crossroads. With the top order back in the pavilion, the responsibility shifted squarely onto the shoulders of KL Rahul, who arrived with a clear brief — rebuild first, then accelerate.
KL Rahul restore stability with Ravindra Jadeja
Rahul found an ideal partner in Ravindra Jadeja, and together the duo focused on damage control. The pair added a valuable 73 runs for the fifth wicket, rotating strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries. Jadeja’s 27 provided crucial support before his dismissal, but by then, Rahul had already set the tone for the final assault.
A hundred sealed in style for Rahul
Once set, Rahul shifted gears seamlessly. Mixing elegance with power, he targeted the gaps and cleared the ropes when required. In the final over of India’s innings, he brought up his eighth ODI hundred in style with a towering six, a moment that summed up his confidence and clarity. Rahul remained unbeaten on 112, guiding India to a fighting total of 284/7.
New Zealand’s bowlers had their moments, with Kristian Clarke emerging as the pick with figures of 3/56, but Rahul’s knock ensured India stayed competitive.
Here’s how fans reacted:
💯
A KaLm and gritty century by @klrahul here in Rajkot off just 87 deliveries.
His 8th in ODIs 👏👏#TeamIndia #INDvNZ #2ndODI @IDFCfirstbank pic.twitter.com/DLBwZWBItx
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2026
100 of the highest quality from Kl Rahul.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 14, 2026
What a 💯 under pressure @klrahul. A fine knock💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/zkjikm6OEn
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) January 14, 2026
The cricketing world needs to take a pause ⏸️ and appreciate this gem 💎 of a cricketer who always stepped up and rotate his bat irrespective of the slot! The man who stands tall in crisis!
KL Rahul 💯🙌🏏🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/uF9fPu9Cyo— Rukshi Khan (@Rukshi_khan_) January 14, 2026
An innings of the highest class @klrahul 🤌❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/1JS9gBWv4p
— Manjit (@CricManjit) January 14, 2026
Today, KL Rahul reminded us that he is not made only for finishing.
He is a player made for centuries and half-centuries. He sacrificed his top-order batting position only for the team’s combination. pic.twitter.com/ydD1MAv3zk
— Lordgod 🚩™ (@LordGod188) January 14, 2026
First Centurion of India of 2026
I love it, What a knock 🤌❤️ @klrahul pic.twitter.com/UZWe3doro4— Manjit (@CricManjit) January 14, 2026
12 off the final over.
KL Rahul edges it fine and finishes unbeaten — a knock built on control, then capped with intent.
India post 284/7 thanks largely to his composure under pressure.
pic.twitter.com/BgsCaVKJIt— Cricket Gyani🏏💡 (@CSyncing) January 14, 2026
Never doubt KL Rahul under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, India’s man of crises ! 🙇
For context :- KL Rahul under Gill
– 958 runs, 60 average, 4 hundreds 😮💨#INDvNZ #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/zkXwt8BLCi
— Prateek (@prateek_295) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul was the crisis man for India, building a fledgling Indian innings first and then taking them to a score where they can fight; and maybe win this game#IndvsNZ
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 14, 2026
Bow down to KL Rahul.
The best thing about him is that when the pitch is the toughest, he will be there, standing strong, be it in Tests or ODIs. He is not someone who does stat-padding on flat pitches.
Most underrated guy in our team. 🙌 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 in the middle order
> Can finish games under pressure
> Can captain and lead the team
> Adapts to any batting position or role
> Effective across Tests, ODIs, and T20s
> Wicketkeeper-batsman, adding balance to the team
> Calm, technically sound, and… pic.twitter.com/jpFPEVCb3Q— Dev (@refocus21) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul
He is better opener than gill
He is better finisher than Dhoni
He is better wicketkeeper than pant
He is better 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 below 5,
– only bowl all rounders left,
– more than half overs are left,
– Game looked long goneThen KL Rahul said, I have done it before I will do it again. He single handedly rescued India’s inning today❤️pic.twitter.com/tDdiHDKcEg
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 14, 2026
KL Rahul delivers a commanding unbeaten 112 off 92 balls in Rajkot. Walking in at No.5 during a collapse, he took charge of the innings and lifted India to a competitive 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.
Average – 64.21.
Strike rate – 99.4.
Hundreds – 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 just need 4 Runs to complete your Century, play carefully.
Meanwhile Selfless KL Rahul 💀🔥pic.twitter.com/YcMr1bFOyb
— Atharv Shukla (@Atharb_) January 14, 2026
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