‘KLassy’ ton: KL Rahul smashes 8th ODI century as India set 285-run target for Kiwis
Rajkot: New Zealand will need 285 runs to level the three-match series after a masterful unbeaten century from KL Rahul guided India to 284 for 7 in the second One-Day International on Wednesday.
Opting to bowl first at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell saw his side dominate the middle overs before Rahul’s late-innings surge shifted the momentum.
Rahul’s "KLassy" Rescue Act
Rahul anchored the Indian innings with a composed 112 off 92 balls, reaching his eighth ODI hundred in style with a towering six off Kyle Jamieson in the penultimate over. His knock proved vital after India slipped from a comfortable 79 for 1 to a precarious 118 for 4.
- Top Order Start: Skipper Shubman Gill provided early momentum with a fluent 56 off 53 balls, while Rohit Sharma contributed 24 before both fell to the disciplined Kristian Clarke.
- Middle Order Slump: Clarke (3/56) proved the wrecker-in-chief, claiming the crucial wickets of Sharma, Virat Kohli (23), and Shreyas Iyer (8) to leave the hosts reeling.
- Late Surge: Rahul found support in Ravindra Jadeja (27) and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (20). A late cameo from Harshit Rana helped push the total past 280, with India looting 12 runs from the final over.
New Zealand’s Bowling and Debuts
The visitors made one change to their lineup, handing an ODI debut to 31-year-old left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, who replaced Adithya Ashok. Lennox impressed in his first outing, finishing with economical figures of 1 for 42 in 10 overs and picking up Harshit Rana as his maiden international wicket.
India also made a forced change, bringing in pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy for his ODI debut in place of Washington Sundar, who was ruled out after suffering a rib injury during the first game in Vadodara.
Target for New Zealand: 285 runs in 50 overs (Required Run Rate: 5.70).