KL Rahul reverse scoops James Neesham: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman played another fascinating innings at No. 5.
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During the first ODI of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand in Hamilton, India wicket-keeper Lokesh Rahul registered his seventh ODI half-century in yet another fascinating effort on this tour.
With India captain Virat Kohli iterating on playing Rahul at No. 5, the 27-year old player justified the decision made by the team management.
Coming in to bat in the 29th over, Rahul stitched a 136-run stand for the fourth wicket with Shreyas Iyer who scored his maiden ODI century today. Having scored 11 runs without a boundary in the first 17 balls that he faced, Rahul took on New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi by scoring two consecutive sixes in the 35th over.
Having got his eye in and strike rate above 100, Rahul then showed signs of aggression against New Zealand seamer Tim Southee as he hit him for two consecutive sixes in the 38th over.
On the second delivery of the 43rd over, Rahul ran a single off New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner to complete his half-century.
Included for finishing the innings, Rahul did exactly what was expected of him as he ended up scoring a well-played 88* (64) with the help of three fours and six sixes.
The pinnacle of his innings came on the penultimate delivery of the penultimate over when he reverse scooped New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham for a supreme six over third man.
After New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and invited India in to bat, the visitors posted a formidable 347/4 in 50 overs on the back of Iyer’s 103 (107) which included 11 fours and a six.
KL Rahul reverse scoops James Neesham
FREAKISH! pic.twitter.com/NlfUGXdDcD
— Divyanshu (@MSDivyanshu) February 5, 2020
How Twitterati reacted:
Kadak Ladka Rahul -Naam toh suna hi hoga.
Shreyas Iyer, it’s your year !#NZvInd pic.twitter.com/OYupaiDtLC— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 5, 2020
Not to undermine the credentials of those selected, but @klrahul11 — in blazing form — not being in the Test squad seems a travesty
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 5, 2020
“Rahul! Shot toh dekha hi hoga?” 😉🏏
Are you watching KL Rahul terrorise the Kiwis on Star Sports & Hotstar?#NZvIND #TheGreatKiwiChallenge pic.twitter.com/jWruU6n4cg
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 5, 2020
Doesn’t get to a century, but KL Rahul stays unbeaten on 8⃣8⃣*! 👏#TeamIndia finish with a heavy total of 347/4 on the board. 💪
Let’s defend this down, boys. #SaddaPunjab #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/WEAWDOfSsV
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) February 5, 2020
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