Sports · Cricket · 12 hrs ago
KL Rahul steadies India after top-order collapse in Wellington ODI
KL Rahul is giving India stability in the middle order in one-day international cricket.
In the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington, India had fallen to 39 for three when he came in at No.
6.
He remained unbeaten on 26 from 38 balls as India tried to recover.
Rahul has adapted to batting lower down the order despite opening in Test cricket, and can build an innings or score faster as the team needs.
India have prepared him for different conditions, including turning pitches in Dubai and seaming pitches in New Zealand.
Coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Rahul's calmness and flexibility, saying he contributes in different roles and handles pressure well.
His adaptability gives India a steady option after early wickets, though no next step for the team was specified.
KL Rahul made an unbeaten 26 to steady India after a top-order collapse in the second ODI in Wellington.
India had fallen to 39/3, and Rahul batted at No. 6 as the team management kept Axar Patel at No. 5.
Rahul faced Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy during his 38-ball innings.
India has used Rahul in several middle-order roles, including at No. 5 and No. 6.
- Who
- KL Rahul steadied India; Axar Patel was kept at No. 5.
- What
- Rahul scored an unbeaten 26 off 38 balls after India lost three wickets for 39 runs.
- When
- During the second ODI; the match date is not stated.
- Where
- Wellington, New Zealand.
- Why
- India needed stability after its top order collapsed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India’s top order collapsed, leaving the team at 39/3.
Rahul scored an unbeaten 26 off 38 balls while batting at No. 6.
- Rahul's score
- 26 not out off 38 balls
- India's score at the collapse
- 39/3
- Rahul's batting position
- No. 6
- Axar Patel's batting position
- No. 5
- Opposition bowlers faced
- Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy
- Location
- Wellington, New Zealand
What people are saying
I think Rahul's biggest advantage is that he is opening in red-ball. Sometimes he goes at No. 5 in ODIs - his record is so good there - and he is so good at No. 6 also. So he plays according to the need of the team.
I have never seen KL under pressure, so you always see him very stable and most of the time he has never let the team down, so that is brilliant to have someone like him who has that experience.