In an exciting match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, KL Rahul Proved once again why he is considered the backbone of the Indian middle order. During the high-stakes second ODI on January 14, 2026 India And new zealandRahul did not play just one innings; He wrote a rescue act that will be remembered for its technical brilliance as well as its emotional finale.
KL Rahul celebrates his brilliant century in Rajkot ODI with a sweet tribute to his daughter
India find themselves in a precarious position after a disciplined attack led by New Zealand Christian Clark Removed the big guns-Rohit Sharma, Shubman GillAnd Virat Kohli. Coming in at number five, Rahul took the responsibility of leading the innings on a slow pitch where it was easier to strike.
The climax of his innings came in the 49th over. facing the giant kyle jamisonRahul expected a brilliant fulltoss and hit it for a skyscraper six over long-on. That single stroke completed his eighth ODI century, reaching the milestone in just 87 balls.
The celebration that followed was entirely personal. After taking off his helmet to acknowledge the roar of the Rajkot crowd, Rahul put two fingers in his mouth – a “finger sucking” gesture that has become his signature dedication to his daughter, IvaraBorn in March 2025. Rahul once explained that this gesture mimics how his little one soothes himself, making this century a “gift from papa” to his daughter. It was a humanizing moment that transcended the competitive nature of the game and showcased the person behind the cricketer.
Here is the video:
A brilliant strike to reach the three-figure mark, @klrahul 🫡🫡 was such a pleasure to watch#TeamIndia #INDvNZ #2nd ODI @IDFCFirstBank pic.twitter.com/S5ECgG49XQ
– BCCI (@BCCI) 14 January 2026
Rahul’s evolution: The best wicketkeeper-finisher at no. 5
Rahul’s performance in this series further cements his position as India’s premier middle-order specialist. Although he started his career as an opening batsman, his transition to the No. 5 spot has been nothing short of epic. Since coming to the position, Rahul has maintained an average close to 50, which is rare for someone who bats in volatile middle overs.
What made his Rajkot innings of 112 (92) particularly impressive was that he joined the field at 120/4, and absorbed 63 dot balls during the dry spell before exploding in the death overs. This was his third ODI century while batting at No. 5 or below and his third as a designated wicketkeeper-batsman. Together Ravindra Jadeja And Nitish Kumar ReddyRahul ensured that India posted a competitive score of 284/7, cementing his reputation as one of the best finishers in the game today.
His ability to read the game, start cautiously when the spinners were restricting the run flow and then strike at a rate of 140+ in the last ten overs, makes him an indispensable asset. As India continue their 2026 campaign, Rahul’s versatility and newfound emotional drive are proving to be a winning combination for the Men in Blue.
