Indian cricket witnessed yet another historic chapter as KL Rahul etched his name permanently into the record books during the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, December 14. In a match packed with milestones, Rahul’s composed and authoritative unbeaten century not only rescued India from a precarious position but also saw him achieve a feat unmatched in the history of international cricket.

Batting at No. 5, a position that demands both temperament and adaptability, Rahul delivered under pressure, guiding India to a competitive total of 284/7 in 50 overs. His knock was far more than just another hundred—it broke a long-standing stadium record, made him the first Indian to score an ODI century in Rajkot, and cemented his status as the only player in the world to score international centuries from batting positions No. 1 through No. 6.

India’s Middle-Order Crisis and Rahul’s Calm Rescue Act

India began the second ODI with promise as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched together a steady opening partnership of 70 runs. Gill continued his good form, registering a fluent half-century and scoring 52. However, the innings soon threatened to unravel after a sudden collapse.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India struggling at 115 for 3. The pressure intensified further when Kohli’s stumps were uprooted for 23 shortly after Rahul arrived at the crease.

Walking in at No. 5, Rahul initially took time to settle. He faced six dot balls before getting off the mark on the seventh delivery, absorbing pressure and assessing the conditions. Once his nerves settled, he began to rotate the strike efficiently and punish loose deliveries, showcasing his trademark composure.

A Century Built on Patience, Precision, and Power

Rahul’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He anchored India’s innings for nearly 30 overs, forming a crucial 73-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with 27. After Jadeja’s dismissal, Rahul continued to shepherd the tail alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, ensuring India crossed the 280-run mark.

Rahul brought up his eighth ODI century in style in the 49th over, sending a Kyle Jamieson full toss soaring into the stands. He reached the landmark in just 87 balls and remained unbeaten on 112 off 92 deliveries. His innings featured 11 fours and one six, though some records credit him with 12 fours and a six, underlining the attacking intent with which he finished.

India eventually posted 284/7, a total that once looked unlikely after their top-order collapse.

Shattering Records at the Niranjan Shah Stadium

KL Rahul’s knock rewrote the history books at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. His unbeaten 112 is now the highest individual score ever recorded at the venue, surpassing South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who had scored 108 against India in 2015.

Rahul also became only the second player overall—and the first Indian—to score a century at this ground. Previously, Shikhar Dhawan’s 96 against Australia in 2020 stood as the highest score by an Indian at the venue.

Highest Individual Scores at the Niranjan Shah Stadium:

• KL Rahul (India) – 112* vs New Zealand, 2026

• Quinton de Kock (South Africa) – 108 vs India, 2015

• Steve Smith (Australia) – 98 vs India, 2020

• Shikhar Dhawan (India) – 96 vs Australia, 2020

• Mitchell Marsh (Australia) – 96 vs India, 2023

In addition, Rahul became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century against New Zealand and the first Indian to score an ODI hundred in Rajkot.

A World-First Achievement: Centuries from No. 1 to No. 6

While the Rajkot century was special on its own, it also reinforced a staggering world record that belongs exclusively to KL Rahul. He is the only batter in international cricket history to score centuries from every batting position between No. 1 and No. 6 across formats.

• Centuries as an Opener (No. 1)

Rahul has scored six centuries at No. 1—four in Tests and two in ODIs. His first came against Zimbabwe in 2016, followed by a memorable 199 against England later that year, which announced his arrival as a technically sound and dominant opener.

• Dominance at No. 2

Batting at No. 2 has been Rahul’s most productive position, yielding seven centuries. Six of these came in Test cricket, all in overseas conditions, highlighting his adaptability and technique away from home. His lone ODI century at No. 2 came against West Indies in Visakhapatnam in 2019.

• A Rare T20I Century at No. 3

Rahul’s only century at No. 3 came in T20 internationals—a format where hundreds are rare. He smashed an unbeaten 101 off 54 balls against England while chasing 160, striking 10 fours and five sixes.

• Impact at No. 4

At No. 4, Rahul has three centuries to his name. His first T20I hundred, against West Indies in 2016, came from this position, showcasing his ability to control the middle overs before accelerating.

• Consistency at No. 5

Rahul has been exceptionally effective at No. 5 in ODIs, scoring three centuries:

• 112 vs New Zealand (2020)

• 111 vs Pakistan (Asia Cup 2023)

• 102 vs Netherlands (World Cup 2023)

All three came in high-pressure tournament situations.

• A Historic Century at No. 6

Rahul’s only century at No. 6 came in Test cricket against South Africa at Centurion in December 2023, where he scored a vital 101 off 137 balls on a challenging surface.

Rahul’s Evolution as a Middle-Order Finisher

Since 2025, Rahul has found an extra gear in the middle order. In overs 41–50 of ODIs, he has scored 283 runs at a strike rate of 140.09—the highest run tally in that phase. His strike rate is the fourth-best globally, behind Justin Greaves, Glenn Phillips, and Janith Liyanage.

His ability to read match situations, rotate strike, and explode at the death has made him indispensable. Against New Zealand, Rahul averages over 65 in ODIs, a testament to his consistency and game awareness.

India’s Golden Run in Chases: A Historic First ODI

Rahul’s heroics in the second ODI followed India’s record-breaking win in the series opener at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Chasing 301, India became the first team in ODI history to successfully chase 300-plus targets on 20 occasions.

Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a classy 93 off 91 balls, forming key partnerships with Shubman Gill (56) and Shreyas Iyer (49). After a late collapse, Rahul once again played the finisher’s role, scoring an unbeaten 29 off 21 balls and sealing the chase with two fours and a six in the 49th over.

Kohli was named Player of the Match—his 45th ODI PoTM award—moving closer to Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally of 48. He also climbed to second place on the all-time list of international run-scorers.

What Lies Ahead

With India leading the series 1–0 and posting 284 in Rajkot, New Zealand face a target of 285. A win would seal the series 2–0 for India with one game to spare.

Regardless of the outcome, KL Rahul’s innings stands as a defining moment—not just of the series, but of modern Indian cricket. From opener to finisher, from Tests to T20Is, Rahul has redefined versatility, proving that greatness isn’t about where you bat, but how you rise when your team needs you most.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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