KL Rahul’s century in the second ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot was praised by former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh, who said the innings demonstrated why he has continuously argued that the Delhi Capitals batsman should start at number five. He added that it was a serious sin to demote Rahul to No. 6, below Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja.
KL Rahul led the hosts to 284/7 in the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday, holding a faltering Indian innings together on a slow surface with a brave century. With 11 fours and two sixes, the right-hander scored a tough, undefeated 112 off 92 balls. In the second half of the innings, he formed crucial partnerships that helped the Kiwis regain control after they had earlier destroyed India’s strong batting lineup.
This is the reason I kept bringing up the idea of starting KL Rahul at number five in the ODIs.
KL Rahul is skilled at pacing the inns and has every weapon at his disposal to fight until the end. Placing him at number six, beneath Axar and Jadeja, will be a grave transgression. Rolls-Royce is KL Rahul.
Ganesh wrote on X, “Use him.”
This is why I was always harping about having KL Rahul at no 5, in the ODIs.
KL knows to pace the inns well, and has all the shots in his armoury to go all-out in the death. Pushing him to no 6, below Axar/Jadeja, is going to be a cardinal sin.KL is Rolls-Royce. Use him #INDvNZ
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) January 14, 2026
India fell from 99/1 to 118/4 before the midway point as New Zealand took control with disciplined bowling and a little good fortune. Rahul and the other hitters were then left to rebuild on a surface that continued to be challenging because of its slow pace and sporadic low bounce. Captain Shubman Gill also made a significant contribution, scoring 56 off 53 balls to record his second half-century in as many outings.
Ravindra Jadeja (27) in to thunderous applause and contributed to a 73-run stand for the fifth wicket with Rahul, as India needed consistency. A delivery that held up a little, though, caused Jadeja to chip the ball back to Michael Bracewell, who made a low catch. Rahul was joined by Nitish Kumar Reddy (20), who scored an additional 57 runs for the sixth wicket before the returning all-rounder was removed by Zak Foulkes’ slower, shorter delivery.
India
