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Vadodara, Jan 12: While Virat Kohli's masterful 93 set the stage, it was KL Rahul who applied the final, emphatic brushstroke at the Kotambi Stadium on Sunday (January 11). By launching a massive six over deep mid-wicket to seal a 4-wicket victory against New Zealand, Rahul didn't just hand India a 1-0 series lead-he vaulted into an elite statistical bracket.
That finishing shot not only gave India a 1-0 series lead but also lifted Rahul into an elite statistical bracket. He now has six winning sixes in ODIs, moving past Virat Kohli's tally of five and placing himself behind only MS Dhoni among Indians in the 21st century.
Even before speaking a word in the post-match presentation, his numbers told their own story on the broadcast graphic. Rahul's
ODI resume now reads 3247 runs at an average of 50.0, with a strike rate touching 90, along with seven hundreds and twenty fifties. They are the numbers of a top-tier modern ODI batter, but it is his composure as a finisher that increasingly sets him apart.
India's chase of 301 looked comfortable until Kyle Jamieson struck twice in quick succession, removing Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. The scoreboard slid from 239 for 3 to 242 for 5 in minutes, and New Zealand suddenly had a grip on the match.
As India's No.6 and designated finisher, Rahul was faced with a rising asking rate, a young Harshit Rana and, later an injured Washington Sundar unable to run freely at the other end, and a tense atmosphere spreading through the stadium. What followed was a masterclass in game management.
Rahul - who took his time to settle down and kept his wicket intact at one end - scarcely let the pressure seep into his decision-making, finding gaps, rotating strike, resisting the temptation to counterattack too soon, and calmly guiding the chase forward until he decided the moment was right to finish it. Despite a couple of mix-ups in the running between the wickets with Rana, he let the youngster bat freely and take the charge for the Karnataka batter, understood the value of his wicket.
Twelve runs were needed off the final two overs when Rahul finally shifted gears. A lap for four, a crisp drive through the infield, and then a thunderous six off Kristian Clarke settled the contest with six balls to spare. After the match, Rahul summed up his mindset with typical simplicity, saying, "I just want to be part of the XI. I'll do anything for that. " Beneath that humility lies a finisher who has quietly carved out a rare record in ODI cricket.
A striking statistic highlights Rahul's impact in run chases. India have never lost an ODI in which he remained unbeaten while chasing. The tally stands at 13 wins and zero losses, a perfect record that showcases the assurance Rahul brings when he decides to bat through till the end. His batting temperament, ability to absorb pressure and instinct for when to accelerate have turned him into India's most dependable closer since the Dhoni era.
Rahul's finishing ability is also reflected in the record that placed him ahead of Kohli. With six winning sixes in ODIs since 2001, he now stands alone behind MS Dhoni, who produced nine such moments. Rahul's rising stature as a match-ender is rooted not merely in the power of his shots but in the clarity with which he judges situations. He enters crisis moments with a sense of calm that spreads through the dressing room and the crowd alike.
Vadodara added another chapter to that growing reputation. On a night when New Zealand pressed hard, Rahul looked unhurried in the middle. His innings was a reminder that he could be the person doing the finisher's job for India, and with Hardik Pandya batting next, the middle-order only makes stronger for the Men in Blue as they will look to build for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.
Rahul's evolution into one of India's most trusted ODI match-winners now carries statistical weight, visual proof and a growing collection of defining moments. In Vadodara, he surpassed Kohli, edged closer to Dhoni and once again proved why India rely on him when the lights are brightest.
His numbers underline reliability, but the manner in which he constructs a chase represents something deeper: a finisher who thrives on responsibility, embraces pressure and has mastered the art of winning games with both intelligence and flair.
