KL Rahul's Stellar Performance Leads India to Victory Against New Zealand
In a thrilling encounter, KL Rahul's unbeaten 29 runs played a pivotal role in India's four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra praised Rahul's calm approach and strategic batting, which helped India chase down a challenging target of 301 runs. Despite facing pressure, Rahul's partnership with Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar showcased his versatility and ability to perform under duress. This match not only highlighted Rahul's skills but also drew comparisons to MS Dhoni's finishing abilities. Read on to explore the match details and expert insights.
| Jan 12, 2026, 16:11 IST
KL Rahul Shines in India's ODI Win
On Sunday, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra praised wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul for his unbeaten 29 runs during the first match of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, held at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. His performance was crucial as India successfully chased down a challenging target, securing a four-wicket victory. While pursuing a target of 301 runs, India faced difficulties when all-rounder Harshit Rana joined Rahul at the crease with the score at 242/5.
Rahul played cautiously, forming a 37-run partnership with Rana, allowing the all-rounder to score most of the runs. This strategy ensured that New Zealand could not dismiss Rana, which would have given them an opportunity to target India's lower-order batsmen. Following Rana's dismissal, Rahul partnered with Washington Sundar for another 27 runs, where he took the lead in scoring. He refrained from playing aggressive shots until the 49th over. When India needed 12 runs from the last 12 balls, Rahul accelerated, hitting two consecutive fours and then sealing the victory with a six off the last three balls of the final over.
Discussing the match on JioStar, Aakash Chopra commended KL Rahul for his composed and strategic innings, highlighting his versatility, ability to pace the chase, and maintain composure under pressure. He drew parallels between Rahul's control in the death overs to that of MS Dhoni, praising his excellence in the finisher's role. Chopra noted that Rahul's batting approach in this first ODI against New Zealand was intriguing. While typically known as an aggressive player, his performance alongside Harshit Rana and the injured Washington Sundar was different. There were moments when it seemed he would accelerate and finish the match quickly with big shots, but he chose to take his time. The first ball he faced in the 49th over was not a boundary ball, yet he managed to hit a four.