Former India and Karnataka cricketer Dodda Ganesh lauded KL Rahul for his century in the second ODI vs New Zealand on Wednesday, adding that this innings was an example why he advocated for playing the Delhi Capitals batter in the No.5 position. He added that pushing Rahul at 6, below Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja was a cardinal sin.
“This is why I was always harping about having KL Rahul at no 5, in the ODIs. KL knows to pace the inns well, and has all the shots in his armoury to go all-out in the death. Pushing him to no 6, below Axar/Jadeja, is going to be a cardinal sin. KL is Rolls-Royce. Use him,” he said on X.
Even former India allrounder Irfan Pathan lauded Rahul. “100 of the highest quality from Kl Rahul,” he posted. When Rahul had reached his half century, Pathan had also praised his innings. “Solid half-century from KL Rahul. Playing low risk cricket while keeping the strike rate nearly 100 says a lot about his class and game awareness,” Pathan posted.
This is why I was always harping about having KL Rahul at no 5, in the ODIs.
KL knows to pace the inns well, and has all the shots in his armoury to go all-out in the death. Pushing him to no 6, below Axar/Jadeja, is going to be a cardinal sin.KL is Rolls-Royce. Use him #INDvNZ
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) January 14, 2026
In the match, Rahul held a faltering innings together on a sluggish surface with a gutsy hundred, guiding India to 284/7 in the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday. Rahul produced a gritty unbeaten 112 off 92 balls which included 11 fours and two sixes, forging vital partnerships in the second half and snatching control from the Kiwis who had ran through India’s formidable batting line-up earlier.
New Zealand had seized control with discipline and some stroke of luck as India had slipped from 99 for one to 118 for four before the halfway mark, leaving Rahul and others with the task to rebuild on a track that remained tricky for batters due to its lack of pace and occasional low bounce. The other major contribution from captain Shubman Gill (56 off 53), who collected his second half-century in as many games.
With India in need of stability, local hero Ravindra Jadeja (27) walked out amid loud cheers and played his part well in a 73-run stand for the fifth wicket with Rahul. However, Jadeja too was beaten by one that stopped a little on him as he hit one back to Bracewell for a low catch.
With Nitish Kumar Reddy (20) in row, Rahul added another 57 for the sixth wicket before the comeback all-rounder too fell for a slow, short ball from Zak Foulkes.
