Rajkot, Jan. 14 -- Indian middle-order batter KL Rahul hit his eighth ODI ton during the second ODI against New Zealand at Rajkot on Wednesday, continuing his fine run as a middle-order batter doubling up as an accumulator and finisher.

KL entered the crease when India was three down for 115 and soon witnessed Virat Kohli's stump removed for 23. However, KL carried on for almost 30 overs, scoring a brilliant 112* in 92 balls, with 12 fours and a six at a strike rate of 121.74.

Since 2025, KL has found a quicker gear and tempo in ODIs batting in the middle order, scoring 283 runs from overs 41-50 at a strike rate of 140.09, with his run count being the best and SR being the fourth-best after WI's Justin Greaves (194 runs at 160.3), NZ's ...