Picture Credit : BCCI
KL Rahul came in to bat at a crucial junction of the third ODI as India were struggling at 67/3 in the 12th over chasing a target of 337. He came into the crease with good form as he had a century in the previous match. But due to the tough situation he started a bit slow scoring just one run in five balls. Then he was dismissed for one run of his sixth ball by Jayden Lennox. It was a very soft dismissal as KL Rahul just pushed the ball to cover and it hit the splice of the bat and it was a simple catch for Phillips. KL Rahul looked shocked due to the soft dismissal and could not believe it.
Watch the video here:
https://www.bcci.tv/bccilink/videos/ClJobtKf
It was big wicket for New Zealand as the hosts were left at 71/4 chasing a massive target of 337. KL Rahul has been in fine form this series and scored a magnificent century against New Zealand in the second match of the ODI series at Rajkot. He brought up his century in 87 balls which included seven fours and a six. It was an innings of high quality as he had to walk in when India were in trouble having lost four wickets within the first 25 overs. He walked in at another tough situation in this game but failed to deliver.
Despite getting out cheaply today, KL Rahul has an ODI average of 50.9. He has scored 3,360 runs in this format and that average is phenomenal given he is batting lower down the order. India have won 13 out of 13 matches when Rahul has remained unbeaten in an ODI run chase so it shows how crucial his wicket was. He also holds the record for the highest ODI average for a batter at No. 4 or below this decade.
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KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent player in the Indian ODI team and has often helped India in crucial situations but unfortunately he was dismissed today. Earlier in the day, New Zealand set a massive total of 337 with the help of centuries by Phillips and Mitchell. India are in a spot of bother but Virat Kohli is fighting hard out in the middle. The series is levelled at 1-1 and this match is a crucial series decider.
