KL Rahul's Ton and Rohit's 92 Power India to 351 vs West Indies
KL Rahul's blistering 129 and Rohit Sharma's 92 powered India to 351/7 against West Indies in the 3rd ODI. Read the full match report.
India staged a breathtaking comeback from a disastrous start to post a massive 351/7 in the third and final ODI against the West Indies. The PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh witnessed a masterclass in batting as KL Rahul's sensational 129 rescued the hosts from the brink of an early collapse.
Early Shock for India
The match began on a nightmare note for the Indian camp. Opting to bat first, the hosts were rocked by the pace of Jayden Seales, who dismantled the top order almost immediately. Shubman Gill was dismissed for just 1 run off 6 deliveries, and shortly after, the legendary Virat Kohli fell for a duck, leaving India reeling at a precarious position.
Seales proved to be the thorn in India's side early on, finishing with impressive figures of 3/62. The early loss of both openers seemed to put India on the defensive against a spirited West Indian bowling attack.
Rohit Sharma's Record-Breaking Knock
With the pressure mounting, captain Rohit Sharma stepped up to stabilize the innings. Alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sharma rebuilt the momentum, playing a blistering knock of 92 runs from 85 balls. His innings featured 10 boundaries and three towering sixes, though he fell agonizingly short of a century.
Beyond his runs, Sharma made history during this innings. At 39 years of age, he became only the fourth opening batsman in the history of One Day Internationals to cross the 10,000-run milestone at the top of the order.
Gaikwad provided vital support to the skipper, making the most of his chances despite being dropped multiple times during his stay. He contributed a solid 57 runs off 69 balls to ensure the recovery was complete.
KL Rahul Steals the Show
While the partnership between Sharma and Gaikwad laid the foundation, it was KL Rahul who provided the finishing explosion. Rahul played a whirlwind innings, smashing 129 runs to propel India past the 350-run mark.
- Balls Faced: 80
- Fours: 10
- Sixes: 2
This magnificent century was the second-fastest of Rahul's nine ODI hundreds, following his lightning-fast 62-ball ton during the 2023 ODI World Cup. His aggression late in the innings ensured India reached a formidable total of 351/7.
Late Contributions and Bowling Summary
The middle and lower order added crucial runs to the tally. Naman Dhir struck a quick 30 off 21 balls, while Anshul Kamboj provided a late surge with 17 runs from just nine deliveries.
For the West Indies, the bowling effort was led by Jayden Seales. Keemo Paul managed to claim two wickets, while Gudakesh Motie picked up one, but they were ultimately unable to contain the Indian onslaught once the momentum shifted.
Having already secured the ODI series, India now holds a massive psychological advantage heading into the upcoming T20I series, while the West Indies must now attempt to chase down a daunting target.