KL Rahul is one of the most stylish and talented batsmen India has produced in the past decade. What makes Rahul stand out is his adaptability to bat in various positions across all three formats. The Karnataka right-hander has demonstrated great versatility throughout his career, adjusting to the demands of different formats and team combinations.
Rahul made his ODI debut in 2016 against Zimbabwe in Harare, where he scored a century, becoming the first and, to date, the only Indian cricketer to score a hundred on his ODI debut. With Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as the first-choice openers until 2019, and Virat Kohli at No. 3, Rahul played in the middle order and also served as a backup opener.
In 2023, he was assigned the middle-order role, where he excelled during the Asia Cup and the World Cup that year.
5. 102 vs Netherlands, Bengaluru, 2023
During the 2023 World Cup league match against the Netherlands in Bengaluru, KL Rahul, batting at No. 5, scored an impressive 102 runs off 64 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes. He formed a massive 208-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who scored an unbeaten 128*.
This partnership helped propel India’s total past 400, and India eventually won by 160 runs.
4. 108 vs England, Pune, 2021
In the 2021 ODI series against England in Pune, Rahul, batting at No. 4, scored 108 runs off 114 balls. His stylish knock included seven fours and two sixes, helping India to a total of 336.
Despite Rahul’s century, India lost the match as Jonny Bairstow’s 124 (112) and Ben Stokes’ 99 (52) guided England to a six-wicket victory.
3. 111 vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 2019
After Shikhar Dhawan’s injury in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, KL Rahul was asked to open the innings and impressed with his performance. Against Sri Lanka in Headingley, Leeds, Rahul scored 111 runs off 118 balls, including 11 fours and a six, in the chase of 265 runs.
Rohit Sharma also scored a century, and together they put on a 189-run opening partnership in 30 overs, setting up a seven-wicket victory for India.
2. 111 vs Pakistan, Colombo, 2023*
KL Rahul’s best ODI century came against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo on a tricky surface. Batting first, Rahul, alongside Virat Kohli, formed a mammoth 233-run partnership for the third wicket, lifting India’s total to 356 runs.
Both Rahul and Kohli tackled the challenging pitch conditions and Pakistan’s bowlers to score centuries, finishing with strike rates over 100. Pakistan was bowled out for just 128 runs, and India won by a massive margin.
1. 112 vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui, 2020
KL Rahul’s highest ODI score of 112 came against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in 2020. Batting at No. 5, Rahul played a crucial knock after India found themselves at 62/3.
He shared vital partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey, scoring 112 runs off 113 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Despite his efforts, India posted a total of 296, but New Zealand chased it down with five wickets in hand.