'The crisis man for India': Rahul showered with praise after fighting ton helps India post competitive total in Rajkot

After guiding his team over the line in Vadodara, India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul helped India post 284/7 in Rajkot on Wednesday with an unbeaten 112 off 92 deliveries. Rahul, who has been India's preferred wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs since 2023, struck 11 fours and a six en route to bringing up his 8th century in the format.

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More importantly, the 33-year-old's sparkling ton helped the Men in Blue finish their innings on a high after being invited to bat by the Black Caps at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. India had earlier lost wickets in a heap to get reduced to 118/4 from 99/1, and 300 looked a long way off for them at the end of 40 overs despite a 73-run partnership between Rahul and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth wicket.

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Rahul, however, proved to be India's crisis man once again, and his late flourish in the death overs ensured that the Shubman Gill-led hosts finished within touching distance of 300 in addition to bringing up a well-deserved century with a six.

And in the process, the Delhi Capitals keeper-batter was showered with praise on social media from former cricketers and fans alike. Here are select reactions:

Rahul stands out from other Indian batters in Rajkot

Captain Gill was the only other Indian batter on Wednesday to go past the 50-mark, bringing up his second consecutive half-century and eventually getting dismissed for 56 off 53 balls. Batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to convert starts, getting dismissed for 24 and 23 respectively, while vice-captain Shreyas Iyer fell for 8 after missing out on a fifty by a whisker in the series opener.

Jadeja chipped in with 27 while Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was included in place of the injured Washington Sundar, chipped in with 20 at nearly run-a-ball.

India had chased down a target of 301 at Vadodara's Kotambi Stadium on Sunday, with Rahul sealing India's triumph with an unbeaten 29, and will be hoping to clinch the series with a game to spare in Rajkot on Wednesday.