New Chandigarh: KL Rahul joined the 10,000-run club in international cricket in style on Saturday, marking the milestone with a sublime unbeaten 129 as India posted 351 in the third ODI against West Indies at Mullanpur.
A milestone with meaning
Rahul reached five figures after a shaky start to his innings, then unfurled the full range — crisp drives, deft late cuts and clean hitting over the ropes. His 129 not out, combined with Rohit Sharma’s 92 and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s half-century, carried India to a formidable total after early wickets.
The nearly man no more
Rahul’s career has often been debated in extremes, but the numbers now speak plainly: 10,000 international runs across formats, scored as opener, keeper-batter and middle-order anchor. His adaptability — slotting wherever the team needs him — has become his defining trait.
The bittersweet ending
The milestone came in a losing cause, as Shai Hope’s 162* powered West Indies to a record chase of 352. But Rahul’s innings was the backbone of India’s total, and his form is a significant positive with the New Zealand tour looming.
What next
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI futures mapped around the New Zealand series in November, Rahul’s role as the flexible middle-order lynchpin looks more secure than ever. The 10,000-run mark is just another line on an increasingly impressive CV.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
