In the third game of the series, KL Rahul hit a stunning 129 not out of 87 balls against the West Indies at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, October 3. KL Rahul’s ninth ODI century stole the show for India.
Since the ICC implemented a major modification to the ODI ball regulation in July 2025, KL Rahul has been open about the difficulty of batting in the format. The rule changed the long-standing tradition of using two new balls during an ODI innings with a single ball starting in the 35th over.
KL Rahul has been open about the difficulty of batting in the format
I’ve been in this position for the past six to seven years, but it’s really different. It has changed significantly in the last year and a half since the ball change rule was implemented. Getting 80–90 in the last ten overs has not been simple. KL Rahul was quoted, “As a batter, you don’t feel confident enough to take on the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielder if it’s a big boundary on that side once the ball got old and soft and started to reverse swing even in this game.”
The star batsman, who serves as captain Shubman Gill’s deputy, described how, despite growing up as a top-order number, he changed into a middle-order batter for the Men in Blue in one-day internationals. The Mangalore native claims that it all comes down to knowing what role the team needs him to play rather than how he wants to play.
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I’ve always batted at the top of the order because I enjoy the pace and the hard ball that comes at me. I’ve been attempting to improve my ability to hit sixes with softer, older balls. I’ve thus worked on that. KL Rahul continued, “I constantly strive to improve my own game, comprehend my role, and understand what a number five and number six batter must do to consistently put up performances for the team.”
Later this month, KL Rahul is scheduled to play in the multi-format series against New Zealand. The senior player is anticipated to play significant roles in various formats and batting positions while being a member of the ODI and Test teams.
