Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
KL Rahul has levelled MS Dhoni in the elite list of No.5 batters to have scored ODI centuries for India. Rahul moved to joint second with four centuries at the position, alongside Dhoni.
On Saturday, October 3, Rahul smashed an unbeaten 129 off 87 balls in the third ODI against the West Indies in Mullanpur. His innings featured 10 fours and two sixes.
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Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the most ODI centuries by an Indian No. 5 batter, with seven. Rahul also broke Yuvraj’s record for the highest score by an Indian No. 5 against the West Indies in ODIs, surpassing his 110 in Colombo in 2005.
Most ODI centuries by an Indian No.5 in ODIs
- Yuvraj Singh – 7 centuries from 99 matches
- MS Dhoni – 4 centuries from 95 matches
- KL Rahul – 4 centuries from 39 matches
Highest scores by Indian No.5 in ODIs against West Indies
- KL Rahul – 139* at Mullanpur (2026)
- Yuvraj Singh – 110 at Colombo (2005)
- MS Dhoni – 95 at Kingston (2009)
HOW RAHUL RATTLED WEST INDIES
KL Rahul turned on the style in the closing stages to produce a stunning unbeaten 129 off 87 balls and power India to 351/7. He initially played the role of an anchor after coming in during the middle overs, rotating the strike and finding boundaries when the West Indies bowlers erred.
Rahul brought up his fifty off 41 balls and then shifted gears spectacularly. He attacked the short ball with powerful pulls, while his drives through the off-side showcased his timing and placement. A 78m six off Matthew Forde and a clean straight drive against Jayden Seales underlined his growing dominance.
Rahul also found useful partners in Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar as India accelerated towards the end. He continued to pick gaps and punish anything loose, hitting back-to-back fours off Vitel Lawes before launching into the final assault.
The acceleration was particularly brutal after he entered the 90s. Rahul smashed an 84m six over deep mid-wicket off Alzarri Joseph before reaching his ninth ODI century with another maximum off Seales. He took just 39 balls to move from 50 to 100.
Once past three figures, Rahul showed no signs of slowing down. He hammered Seales for another six before taking Keemo Paul apart in the final over, hitting two sixes and a four. His reverse scoop for two added a touch of improvisation to a remarkable finish.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
