IND vs NZ, 2nd ODI LIVE: KL Rahul’s masterful century rescues India after Kristian Clarke’s triple strike

In the second ODI against New Zealand at Niranjan Shah Stadium, KL Rahul's brilliant unbeaten century (112 off 92) led India to a competitive total of 284 for 7.

KL Rahul scored his 8th ODI century in Rajkot. Image | BCCI

A sublime, high-tempo century from KL Rahul ensured India posted a competitive 284 for 7 in the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. On a Rajkot surface that appeared two-paced and offered grip to the spinners, Rahul’s unbeaten 112 off 92 balls proved to be the spine of the Indian innings, especially after a middle-order collapse threatened to derail the hosts.

The opening blitz and the Clarke collapse

India’s afternoon started with a sense of authority. Skipper Shubman Gill and the veteran Rohit Sharma navigated the first ten overs with ease, putting on a 70-run opening stand in just 12.2 overs. Gill was the aggressor, racing to a fluent 56 off 53 balls decorated with eight boundaries and a six.

However, the momentum shifted violently when New Zealand’s Kristian Clarke was introduced into the attack. Clarke turned the game on its head by removing Rohit Sharma (24) and then dealing a double-blow that stunned the Rajkot crowd.

He dismissed Shreyas Iyer for 8 before clean-bowling the world No. 1, Virat Kohli, for 23. India plummeted from 70/0 to a precarious 118/4 losing their top order in a frantic ten-over period.

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The KL Rahul rescue act

With the innings in the balance, KL Rahul took charge. Initially, Rahul was watchful, cognizant of the grip Jayden Lennox and Michael Bracewell were extracting from the pitch. He rebuilt the innings alongside Ravindra Jadeja (27), with the pair adding 73 vital runs for the fifth wicket.

Once Rahul reached his half-century off 52 balls, he shifted through the gears. His back-half of the innings was a masterclass in calculated aggression; he manipulated the field and found the boundary at will, particularly through the cover region. He reached his hundred in the 48th over, finishing with 12 fours and a six at a strike rate of 121.73. Late cameos from Nitish Kumar Reddy (20) and Mohammed Siraj (2*) helped India plunder 45 runs from the final five overs.

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The outlook for New Zealand

While 285 is a daunting chase on a wearing pitch, New Zealand will take heart from the bowling of Jayden Lennox and Michael Bracewell, who went for just 4.20 and 3.40 runs per over, respectively.

If the Black Caps' openers can weather the early storm from Siraj and Harshit Rana, the chase could go down to the wire. However, with Kuldeep Yadav waiting in the wings for India, the spinners will likely decide the fate of this second ODI.

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