The first ODI between New Zealand and India witnessed a run-fest at Seddon Park in Hamilton with almost 700 runs scored in 100 overs. Although the Kiwis emerged as the better side but KL Rahul's contribution with the bat didn't go unnoticed. Former India cricketer cum commentator Sanjay Manjrekar heaped praise on the batsman, who displayed great adaptation skills in the middle order.
Chasing a massive total of 348 runs, the host combined well to pace the run chase. Henry Nicholls and Martin Guptill gave a brilliant start before Tom Latham and Ross Taylor capitalised on it to register their first win of the tour. Taylor scored an unbeaten century to guide the team home after losing the last three games in the final overs.
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Earlier in the day, Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal gave India a good start before Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyercapitalised the start. Kohli failed to capitalise on the start but Iyer kept up the excellent work to bring his first ODI century. However, it was KL Rahul, who grabbed the headlines with his outstanding display of batting.
The cricketer from Karnataka has been in spectacular form with the bat and the last day was no different. He showed great adaptability skills in the middle-order and paced his innings to perfection. His knock earned praise from all quarters including former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar. Hailing Rahul, Manjrekar said that only he can make 360-degree batting look classical.
"Only K L Rahul can make 360 degrees batting look orthodox and classical," Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted.
Only K L Rahul can make 360 degrees batting look orthodox and classical.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 6, 2020