IND vs NZ: KL Rahul achieves what even MS Dhoni couldn’t; becomes first Indian to THIS feat

Thanks to KL Rahul’s brilliant knock, India managed to post a formidable total against New Zealand in Rajkot.

KL Rahul proved to be the star for India in their batting innings in the recent second ODI against New Zealand. He achieved a feat that even the legendary MS Dhoni couldn’t achieve in his illustrious career.

India and New Zealand engaged in the second of the three ODIs at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Saurashtra, on January 14, 2026. New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell won the toss and chose to bowl first, keeping the dew in mind.

India had to make one change as Nitish Kumar Reddy came in for the injured Washington Sundar, despite the team management calling up Ayush Badoni as a replacement player.

With 70 runs for the first wicket, Rohit Sharma (24) and Shubman Gill (56) gave India a respectable start. India dropped to 118/4 in 24 overs after losing several wickets in short succession, with Virat Kohli scoring 23 and Shreyas Iyer falling for 8 runs.

KL Rahul then got the innings steady with a well-compiled fifty along with Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja made 27 runs and added a much-needed 73 runs with Rahul, who anchored one end.

With assistance from Nitish Kumar Reddy at the opposite end, the 33-year-old then proceeded to guide India’s innings. Rahul competed a brilliant hundred as India posted a total of 284/7.

KL Rahul becomes first Indian batter-keeper to score an ODI century against New Zealand

In Rajkot on Wednesday, Rahul scored his eighth ODI century while batting at the No. 5 position against New Zealand. In an innings that featured 11 fours and one six, he scored unbeaten 112 off 92 balls.

Virat Kohli’s stumps were uprooted for 23 as soon as Rahul entered the game, while India was three down for 115. But he persisted for nearly 30 overs, scoring an incredible 112* off 92 balls at a strike rate of 121.74.

With his magical innings, Rahul became the first Indian wicketkeeper to reach a century against the Black Caps in the 50-over format, achieving the feat with a six. Additionally, he is the first Indian to reach a century in an ODI at Rajkot.

Top 5 scores from India wicketkeepers vs New Zealand in ODIs

• KL Rahul – 112* In Rajkot (2026)
• MS Dhoni – 84* In Napier (2009)
• Parthiv Patel – 56* In Chennai (2010)
• Rahul Dravid – 53* In Centurion (2003)
• Kiran More – 42* In Bengaluru (1987)

In ODIs since 2025, Rahul has batted in the middle order and found a faster gear and tempo, hitting 283 runs from overs 41–50 at a strike rate of 140.09. After Justin Greaves of the West Indies (194 runs at 160.3), Glenn Phillips of New Zealand (244 runs at 157.4), and Janith Liyanage of Sri Lanka (201 runs at 147.8), he has the highest run total and the fourth-best strike rate during that phase.

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