2nd ODI: KL Rahul brings up 5th ton against England

Indian batsman KL Rahul on Friday notched his fifth ODI ton during the second of the three-match series against England in Pune. The Karnataka batsman has roared back to the best of his form in the 50-over format after a horror show in the T20Is, following up his fifty in the first match with a scintillating ton in the second. 

Also Read | 2nd ODI: Ben Stokes warned after being caught applying saliva on ball

Rahul got to the milestone in the 44th over of India’s innings, with a single off seamer Tom Curran, taking 108 deliveries to bring up three figures. 

Rahul’s innings was crucial to India’s rebuild after the hosts lost two early wickets. He stitched a 121-run partnership with skipper Virat Kohli (66) before adding 113 runs to the scoreboard along with Rishabh Pant (77). 

The Punjab Kings skipper struck seven boundaries and two maximums in his innings before perishing to Curran in the 45th over, mistiming a slower bounder straight down deep square leg’s throat. 

Also Read | Krunal Pandya says he got late father’s bag to dressing room to keep him close

India were put in to bat after losing the toss, and lost openers Shikhar Dhawan (4) and Rohit Sharma (25) early in the innings before Rahul led the rebuild, first with Kohli and then with Pant, setting up the hosts nicely for a late flourish in the death overs.