Watch: KL Rahul smashes 80-ball century in IND vs WI 3rd ODI to rescue India in New Chandigarh

With India’s top order celebrating several records during the first couple of ODIs of the three-match series against West Indies, the pressure was on their middle order when required, and the opportunity finally came during the third ODI of the series at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh as KL Rahul, at number five, celebrated a masterclass knock of an 80-ball century.  

India’s captain, Shubman Gill, won the toss and decided to bat first in the dead rubber, due to the expected experiments that the blue brigade wants to do before the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

KL Rahul's ninth ODI hundred arrives with a six off Jayden Seales

Rahul walked into the middle after the fall of Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed for 92 runs off 85 balls, thanks to 10 boundaries and three sixes in the innings. Rahul was quite busy in the middle as he smashed Matthew Forde for his first six of the afternoon over the deep square leg region.

Watch KL Rahul's century here-

With a single, the right-handed batter notched up his half-century, which was his third 50+ score in six innings of the ODIs against the West Indies. As the wickets started to fall from the other end, Rahul put his feet on the accelerator.

See Also: Watch: Virat Kohli dismissed for a golden duck in IND vs WI 3rd ODI as India stumble early in New Chandigarh

The Karnataka-born celebrated his ninth century of the ODIs with a massive six. It was a short ball on the leg, and the batter helped it over fine leg for a six. In the final over, he nailed two successive sixes and one boundary to remain unbeaten on 129 runs off just 87 balls with 10 boundaries and six sixes.

How India recovered after an early struggle: Rahul and Naman Dhir rebuild after Gill and Kohli fall

The Indian side was reduced to 4/2 in the third over with the dismissal of Virat Kohli. Rohit smashed 92 runs off 85 balls while Ruturaj Gaikwad also creamed a fine fifty with the bat as the duo celebrated a fine partnership of 137 runs off 122 balls for the third wicket.

However, the onus of a strong finish was on Rahul. And he delivered with his brutal power around the park. The last stand for the eighth wicket was an unbeaten 61 runs in just 4.2 overs as the hosts finished with 351/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

See Also: Watch: KL Rahul kisses Devdutt Padikkal for helping him take the right DRS review in SL vs IND 1st Test

Brief Scores: India 351/7 (KL Rahul 129*, Rohit Sharma 92, Jayden Seales 3/62) vs West Indies