WATCH: KL Rahul whips Tim Southee for startling six in Auckland T20I

KL Rahul whips Tim Southee: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman continued his golden run in white-ball cricket with yet another half-century.

During the first T20I of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand in Auckland, India wicket-keeper batsman Lokesh Rahul registered his 10th T20I half-century to continue his golden run in white-ball cricket.

Opening the batting with vice-captain Rohit Sharma (7) in a 204-run target, Rahul stitched a 99-run partnership for the second wicket alongside captain Virat Kohli.

Carrying on from where he left in India, Rahul played his shots showing no signs of not being able to adjust to the foreign conditions. The right-hand batsman made sure that India don’t lack behind in the chase despite Sharma getting out in the second over.

The highlight of Rahul’s innings came on the penultimate delivery of the fifth over when he whipped New Zealand seamer Tim Southee for a mere flick which ended up going way into the crowd. Rahul’s shot was compared to legendary India wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s trademark helicopter shot.

Before getting out to New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi, Rahul ended up scoring 56 (27) with the help of four fours and three sixes.

After India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and invited the hosts in to bat, New Zealand posted a formidable 203/5 in 20 overs on the back of individual half-centuries from opening batsman Colin Munro (59), veteran batsman Ross Taylor (54*) and captain Kane Williamson (51).

With bowling figures of 2-0-18-1, India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of their bowlers.

KL Rahul whips Tim Southee

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