India, Jan. 14 -- Batting anywhere in the middle order? No problem. Multi-tasking with the wicketkeepers' gloves? Not a bother. Discover new batting gears and new strokes? Yes. No one plays the quintessential team man better than KL Rahul. On Wednesday, with India in a spot of bother in the Rajkot ODI against New Zealand, Rahul again rescued the team.

A hard knock on the helmet first ball and a thumping lofted drive over covers to finish. From that ungainly start to the authoritative finish, Rahul stroked a masterful unbeaten 112 (92b, 11x4, 1x6) that oozed class all through his 28.3 overs at the crease. It was his second century against New Zealand, and the third overall in 87 innings.

Amid a battery of batting stars, Rahul shone the b...