WATCH: KL Rahul celebrates memorable Rajkot ODI century with a special gesture for his daughter

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In a thrilling encounter at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, KL Rahul once again proved why he is considered the backbone of the Indian middle order. On January 14, 2026, during the high-stakes 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand, Rahul didn’t just play an innings; he authored a rescue act that will be remembered as much for its technical brilliance as for its emotional finish.

India found themselves in a precarious position after a disciplined New Zealand attack led by Kristian Clarke removed the big guns—Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. Coming in at number 5, Rahul took the responsibility of anchoring the innings, navigating a slow pitch where stroke-making was anything but easy.

The climax of his innings came in the 49th over. Facing the towering Kyle Jamieson, Rahul anticipated a juicy full toss and hammered it over long-on for a towering six. That single strike brought up his eighth ODI century, reaching the milestone in just 87 deliveries.

The celebration that followed was purely personal. After removing his helmet to acknowledge the roar of the Rajkot crowd, Rahul placed two fingers in his mouth—a “finger-sucking” gesture that has become his signature dedication to his daughter, Evaarah, born in March 2025. Rahul once explained that the gesture mimics how his little one self-soothes, making the century a “gift from papa” to his daughter. It was a humanizing moment that transcended the competitive nature of the sport, showcasing the man behind the cricketer.

A magnificent strike to get to the three figure mark, @klrahul was an absolute delight to watch 🫡🫡#TeamIndia #INDvNZ #2ndODI @IDFCfirstbank

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2026

Also READ: Fans go wild as KL Rahul lights up Rajkot with splendid hundred in 2nd ODI against New Zealand

Rahul’s performance in this series further solidifies his status as India’s premier middle-order specialist. While he began his career as an opener, his transition to the number 5 spot has been nothing short of legendary. Since moving to this position, Rahul has maintained an average near 50, a rarity for those batting in the volatile middle overs.

What makes his Rajkot knock of 112 (92) particularly impressive is the context that he joined the fray at 120/4, absorbing 63 dot balls during a dry spell before exploding in the death overs. This was his third ODI century while batting at number 5 or lower and his third as a designated wicketkeeper-batter. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rahul ensured India posted a competitive 284/7, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best finishers in the game today.

His ability to read the game, starting cautiously when the spinners were “choking” the run flow and then striking at a rate of 140+ in the final ten overs, makes him an indispensable asset. As India continues its 2026 campaign, Rahul’s versatility and newfound emotional motivation are proving to be a winning combination for the Men in Blue.

Also READ: Fans react as India’s top order crumbles, losing four wickets cheaply against New Zealand in 2nd ODI at Rajkot