KL Rahul Makes History with 8th ODI Century

KL Rahul keeps proving he’s one of India’s most dependable guys at the end of One Day Internationals (ODIs). Back on January 14, 2026, during the third ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot, Rahul was awesome with the bat, doing something no other Indian wicketkeeper has done before – not even MS Dhoni.

The Karnataka star smashed a great 112 off 92 balls, with 11 fours and a six, while batting at the important No. 5 spot. He not only saved India when they were in trouble but also showed how valuable he is in the middle order and as a finisher.

A Rocky Start but a Good Recovery

India’s innings didn’t start well, losing three wickets early for 115 runs. Rahul came in after Virat Kohli got out for just 23 runs. He started slow, not scoring for the first six balls, but then got going on the seventh. This slow start helped him build a calm and smart innings.

Rahul’s approach showed he knows how to read the game and change his approach when things get tough. Unlike openers who might throw away their wickets when under pressure, Rahul was both patient and aggressive, speeding things up as partnerships formed.

Key Partnerships Boost India’s Score

Once he was settled, Rahul built important partnerships that kept India going. He and Ravindra Jadeja put on 73 runs together, which gave the team some stability, even though Jadeja got out for 27. Rahul kept things steady with Nitish Kumar Reddy, carefully guiding the chase toward a good total.

India ended up posting 284/7, which gave New Zealand a tough target to chase. Rahul’s ability to score faster in the later overs without losing his cool was really important. He picked his shots well, timed them perfectly, and knew exactly what the match needed.

Making History: Cool Records

With this amazing innings, Rahul made it into the record books with some cool achievements:

He’s the first Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century against New Zealand.
The first Indian to hit an ODI century in Rajkot.
His eighth ODI century overall, showing he’s one of India’s best finishers.
He reached his hundred in a cool way, hitting Kyle Jamieson’s full toss for a six in the 49th over, getting there in just 87 balls. His strike rate of 121.74 showed he was both efficient and in control, and his unbeaten 112 runs showed he can perform well under pressure.

Rahul’s ODI Impact in the Middle Order

Since 2025, KL Rahul has been great in the middle overs (overs 41-50) of ODIs. His stats are impressive: 283 runs at a strike rate of 140.09, making him one of the most dangerous finishers in the world. Only Justin Greaves (West Indies), Glenn Phillips (New Zealand), and Janith Liyanage (Sri Lanka) have better strike rates in the final overs, which shows how much of an impact Rahul has on the global stage.

His ability to perform under pressure, especially when chasing or steadying innings, has changed India’s middle order. He can speed up the scoring without taking silly risks, which makes him super important in tough situations.

Past Games Against New Zealand

Rahul has always done well against the Kiwis. In the first game of the series in Vadodara, he showed his finishing skills by scoring 29 off 21 balls, including two fours and a six in the 49th over, helping India win by four wickets. His calm attitude, along with his ability to hit aggressive shots when needed, has been key to India’s success in the series.

Rahul’s average of over 65 against New Zealand in ODIs shows he can keep the innings together and make the most of scoring opportunities. Whether he’s rebuilding after early wickets or speeding things up in the final overs, he shows a maturity and awareness that few finishers in cricket can match.

Calmness and Smart Tactics

Rahul’s innings in Rajkot wasn’t just about his batting skills but also his smart understanding of the game. Coming in when the team was in trouble, he handled the pressure of early collapses, managed partnerships well, and timed his aggressive shots perfectly.

His innings shows that he has changed from a top-order batter to an awesome finisher, mixing patience, smart tactics, and explosive hitting. This makes him one of the most reliable middle-order options for India in ODIs.

In Conclusion: A Record-Setting Finisher

KL Rahul’s historic innings against New Zealand proves how tough, adaptable, and skilled he is at finishing games. By becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score an ODI century against the Black Caps and the first to score in Rajkot, he has made his mark in cricket history, even passing legends like MS Dhoni.

As India continues its ODI run, Rahul’s performances in the middle order and his finishing ability will be very important. His record-setting innings not only secured a competitive total but also showed why he is now thought of as one of the most valuable finishers in cricket today.