KL Rahul Smashes Explosive Century Against West Indies, Completes 10000 International Runs

In a spectacular display of batting prowess, KL Rahul powered India to a commanding position in the third and final One Day International (ODI) against the West Indies. Rahul, who has been a pillar of the Indian middle order, showcased his class by smashing a brilliant century off just 80 balls. This innings wasn't just about the runs but also about the timing and the situation in which they were scored. By the end of the innings, Rahul remained unbeaten on 129, marking his 9th century in ODI cricket and further solidifying his reputation as a versatile batsman.

A Rescue Act and a Record Breaking Innings

The match, held at New Chandigarh in 2026, saw India in a precarious position when KL Rahul walked out to bat at number 5. The team was struggling at 141 for the loss of 3 wickets, with 25 overs still remaining in the innings. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Rahul initially adopted a cautious approach, focusing on rebuilding the innings and rotating the strike. While wickets continued to fall at the other end, Rahul remained steadfast, anchoring the Indian innings with great maturity.

As the innings progressed into the final stages, Rahul shifted gears. His acceleration in the last 5 overs was nothing short of breathtaking, as he dismantled the West Indian bowling attack. He eventually finished with 129 runs off 87 balls, a knock decorated with 10 boundaries and 6 towering sixes. This score of 129 is now Rahul's highest individual score in ODI cricket. His efforts propelled India's total to a formidable 351 runs, a target that seemed unlikely when he first arrived at the crease.

Milestones and Historical Comparisons

During this innings, KL Rahul achieved a significant career milestone by completing 10000 runs in international cricket. He has become the 15th Indian batsman to reach this prestigious mark. Rahul achieved this feat in 243 matches across 281 innings, during which he has scored a total of 23 centuries across all formats. His journey, which began in 2014, has seen him evolve into one of India's most reliable players in various conditions.

Rahul's 80 ball century is also his second fastest in ODI cricket. His fastest remains the 62 ball century he scored against the Netherlands in Bengaluru during the 2023 World Cup. On top of that, his unbeaten 129 has placed him among the elite Indian batsmen who have excelled at the number 5 position. He now holds the record for the third highest individual score by an Indian at this position in ODIs.

• 139 runs: Yuvraj Singh vs Australia, Sydney 2004
• 134 runs: MS Dhoni vs England, Cuttack 2017
• 129* runs: KL Rahul vs West Indies, New Chandigarh 2026
• 124 runs: MS Dhoni vs Australia, Nagpur 2009

Partnership and Career Statistics

One of the highlights of the latter half of the Indian innings was the 8th wicket partnership between KL Rahul and Gurnoor Brar. The duo added 61 runs to the total, providing the much-needed late flourish. Interestingly, Rahul was the dominant partner in this stand, contributing the lion's share of the runs while Gurnoor Brar managed only 8 runs. This partnership was crucial in taking India past the 350 run mark.

Looking at KL Rahul's career statistics, his versatility is evident. In Test cricket, he has amassed 4288 runs in 122 innings with an average of approximately 36. In the T20 International format, he has recorded 2265 runs. His ability to adapt his game according to the format and the match situation has been the hallmark of his decade long international career, while with 23 international centuries to his name, Rahul continues to be a vital asset for the Indian cricket team across all three formats of the game.