Birthday special: KL Rahul – Top 3 knocks in international cricket
Star India batter KL Rahul will be celebrating his 31st birthday on April 18, 2023. The right-handed batter made his international debut against Australia in December 2014. Rahul is the third Indian cricketer to score a hundred in all three formats of international cricket. He became the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred on his ODI debut, against Zimbabwe in June 2016. As the star batter turns 31, let’s take a look at his top three knocks from international cricket:
3) 110 vs Australia, Sydney, January 2015
Playing just in his second Test, Rahul opened the innings and scored a magnificent 110 against the likes of Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris and Josh Hazlewood. He was involved in a 138-run stand with Virat Kohli which helped India put 475 in the first innings in reply to Australia’s first innings score of 572/7.
2) 110* off 51 vs West Indies, 1st T20I, Lauderhill, August 2016
Chasing a target of 246, Rahul walked into bat at number four with India on 48/2 after 4.2 overs. The Bangalore-born batter played a breathtaking knock of 110* off 51 balls smashing 12 fours and five sixes in his innings. He was involved in a 107-run stand with MS Dhoni for the fourth wicket which took India to the brink of chasing the highest total in T20I history.
However, with two required off the last ball, Dhoni got out trying to look for a couple. Rahul’s knock went in vain but he scripted history by becoming the third Indian batter to score a hundred in all three formats.
1) 129 vs England, 2nd Test, Lord’s August 2021
After India were put in to bat first in overcast conditions, Rahul showed great discipline against some top-quality swing bowling and batted through the tough period before launching himself in the last session. He went on to play a scintillating knock of 129 as India posted 364 in the first innings. Rahul was also awarded Player of the Match for his hundred as India won the game by 151 runs.
