KL Rahul slays his T20I demons with fifth ODI century against England

KL Rahul catapulted himself back amongst the runs by guiding India to 336/6 in the second ODI against England with his fifth ODI century at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday.

After bringing up his ton in 108 deliveries, Rahul became the first player from either side to score a hundred in the ongoing three-match ODI series. Rahul’s century was his first against England and second at home.

Explaining his celebration (Rahul closed his eyes and and ears after he reached the mark), Rahul said: “It was pretty self-explanatory. It was just to shut out the noise. Not to disrespect anyone, but there are people out there who try to pull you down, at times you need to ignore them. So that’s just a message to shut out that noise.”

The 28-year-old batsman was eventually dismissed on 108 off 114 balls by Tom Curran in the 45th over of the first innings. He hit seven fours and two sixes on his way to his ton and maintained an impressive strike-rate of 94.74.

Rahul’s previous ODI ton was against New Zealand in February last year.

4 – @klrahul11 has registered his fourth ODI ton since the start of the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup; only @ImRo45 has scored more centuries during this time (seven). Remarkable.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/Vio1Xr5CPM

— OptaJeev (@OptaJeev) March 26, 2021

Well played @klrahul11 Fabulous 💯 Loved the shot selection and the way you paced your innings. Keep it up. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/WRg5UlaIha

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 26, 2021

Top class 💯 this from a very Versatile Batsman @klrahul11

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 26, 2021

Lovely batting @klrahul11… congrats on 💯
Enjoyed every bit! #KingLegend #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/2FvwRtVGQV

— DK (@DineshKarthik) March 26, 2021

KL Rahul. That’s it, that’s the tweet. #IndvEng pic.twitter.com/BuPmF0ffnL

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 26, 2021

Rahul needed just a little time for himself while batting, to get back into form. 50 overs cricket allows one that time. Important that he carries this form/confidence now.👏👏👏#KLRahul

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 26, 2021

Kamaal Rahul Ki Lajawaab Paari 🥳🥳 #IndvEng

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 26, 2021

Team and @klrahul11 should be very happy with this hundred. Coming from a NO.4 in ODI is always special. #KLRahul #INDvENG

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 26, 2021

Earlier, Rahul was dropped from the final T20I against England following a series of low scores. In four T20Is during the series, Rahul managed to gather just 15 runs.

However, Rahul had bounced back in the ODI series opener by scoring 62* off 43 deliveries in an innings laced with four boundaries and four sixes.

Ahead of the second ODI, he had said, “I feel being in the middle and playing games is what keeps me in good touch. Having not got as much game time as I would have liked, I mean I won’t say it did not play on my mind, but somehow or the other you have to find a way to be best prepared, be it at training or open net sessions.”