Zaheer Khan Lauds KL Rahul’s Match-Saving Century In IND vs NZ 2nd ODI

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan praised KL Rahul after the wicketkeeper-batter’s unbeaten century rescued India from trouble and helped the hosts post a competitive total against New Zealand.

Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan praised KL Rahul for his brilliant century in the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14. Rahul scored his eighth ODI hundred, playing a crucial role in rescuing India from a difficult position and guiding the team to a competitive total.

Walking in to bat at No. 5 with India under pressure, Rahul took responsibility after Virat Kohli was dismissed shortly after his arrival. The Karnataka batter absorbed the pressure well, steadied the innings, and stitched a vital 73-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja before gradually lifting the scoring rate.

Rahul remained unbeaten on 112 off 92 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six, as India finished on 284/7 in their 50 overs. Zaheer highlighted how Rahul rose to the occasion after the top-order batters failed to convert their starts and delivered a mature, match-defining innings.

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“He’ll take a lot of pride in this hundred. One of the top four, after getting the start, had to go onto get a 100, it was not the case, but KL Rahul shouldered the responsibility very well, absorbing that pressure at that stage, building up that partnership with Ravindra Jadeja,” Zaheer said on Cricbuzz.

“That strike rate was so impressive, considering the pressure which was there in the situation. He had to absorb pressure, build his innings slowly, there was a cautious approach from both Rahul and Jadeja at that stage. At the start of the innings, you were looking at 300, 300-plus, but to get to 280-plus is something that India were looking at as an ideal total to defend,” he added.