VIDEO: How KL Rahul became first Indian ODI debutant to smash a ton: KL Rahul, the right-handed youngster became the first ever cricketer to score a century in his first innings as an opener in both ODIs and Tests. The 24-year old achieved the feat when he hit medium pacer, Hamilton Masakadza for a winning six over long-on and thus India thrash Zimbabwe by nine wickets to go 1-0 up in the 3-match ODI series.
The record for highest score by an Indian ODI debutant was previously held by another Karnataka batsman- Robin Uthappa (86 vs England in 2006). KL Rahul also scored a Test ton in his first innings as an opener in Sydney against Australia in January 2015.
KL Rahul took 115 deliveries to notch up his ton which included 7 boundaries and a six. He became only the 11 debutant to do so in 40-year-old history of ODI cricket.
Chasing a target of 169, India got off to a slow and poor start as they lost their opener Karun Nair (7 runs) in the fifth over of the innings. KL Rahul then played a responsible innings and his unbeaten 100 along with Ambati Rayudu”s steady innings of 62 took India to a flawless victory. It never looked as if Rahul would get to reach the three figures mark as India required as many as Rahul needed in the last chase of 21 runs. He kept on taking singles and waited for the last big hit that took him to the unique feat when India needed just 2 runs.
KL Rahul, who was adjudged man-of-the-match, said: “I wanted to play out the new ball, and then take it from there. I”m really satisfied with the way I carried on and stayed not out in the end. I just got told by the manager that I was the first Indian to get a century on debut. I wasn”t thinking much, there was just one way to get to a century. I wanted to hold my shape and just hit it”
WATCH VIDEO HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBS9r9bkif8
