Top five highest scores by KL Rahul in ODI cricket

KL Rahul is one of the most elegant and skilled batters that India has developed over the past decade. His uniqueness lies in his capacity to perform in various batting positions across all three formats of the game. The right-handed batter from Karnataka has demonstrated remarkable versatility throughout his career, adapting effectively to the requirements of different formats and the team's combination.

Rahul made his ODI debut in 2016 against Zimbabwe in Harare and scored a hundred in the game, becoming the first and so far the only Indian cricketer to hit a hundred on ODI debut. During the period leading up to 2019, with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma serving as the primary openers and Virat Kohli positioned at No. 3, Rahul contributed by batting in the middle order while also serving as a reserve opener.

In 2023, he was given the middle-order role in which he excelled during the Asia Cup and the World Cup that year.

In this article, let’s see KL Rahul’s top five highest scores in ODI cricket.

5. 102 vs Netherlands, Bengaluru, 2023

During the World Cup 2023 league match held in Bengaluru against the Netherlands, KL Rahul, batting at No. 5, delivered an impressive performance, scoring 102 runs from 64 balls, which included 11 boundaries and four sixes. He formed a remarkable partnership of 208 runs with Shreyas Iyer, who scored unbeaten 128.

The partnership elevated India's score to over 400, leading to a victory for India by 160 runs.

4. 108 vs England, Pune, 2021

Batting at No. 4, Rahul scored 108 runs off 114 balls against England in the 2021 ODI series in Pune. The stylish right-handed batter struck seven boundaries and two sixes in his innings, helping India to finish at 336 runs.

Rahul's century ultimately proved futile as Jonny Bairstow scored 124 runs off 112 balls and Ben Stokes contributed 99 runs off just 52 deliveries, leading England to a six-wicket triumph.

3. 111 vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 2019

Following Shikhar Dhawan's injury during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Rahul was asked to open and he performed admirably. In the match against Sri Lanka at Headingley, Leeds, he scored 111 runs from 118 balls, which included 11 boundaries and a six in the chase of 265 runs.

Rohit Sharma, too, cracked a hundred as the duo formed an opening stand of 189 runs in 30 overs, setting the stage for a seven-wicket victory.

2. 111* vs Pakistan, Colombo, 2023

Perhaps KL Rahul’s best ODI century came against Pakistan on a two-paced surface in Colombo during the Asia Cup 2023. Batting first, Rahul and Kohli formed a huge partnership of 233 runs for the third wicket, elevating India's total to 356 runs.

Both batters overcame the challenges posed by the pitch and the Pakistani bowling attack to slam their respective centuries, and both finished with a strike rate of over 100. Pakistan were later bowled out for only 128 runs.

1. 112 vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui, 2020

KL Rahul’s highest ODI score of 112 came against New Zealand in 2020 in Mount Maunganui, where he struck a commendable century while batting at No. 5. He came to the crease when India were at 62/3 and formed crucial stands with Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey.

Rahul amassed 112 runs from 113 deliveries, including nine fours and two sixes. India ultimately posted a good total of 296; however, the home team successfully pursued it, winning by five wickets.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official