KL Rahul - Silencing his critics with century and 'celebration style'!

Pune, Mar 26: Top batsman KL Rahul made a grand comeback as he brought up his fifth ODI century during India’s second ODI against England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.

 

After scoring a ton in 108 deliveries, Rahul once again came up with his "unique" celebration which was seen before in earlier matches. He had covered both his ears with fingers and closed his eyes as a part of his celebration after reaching his third ODI hundred.

 

 

 

 

Earlier, when he had celebrated in such style, he gave reason saying that "I will let it stay a mystery". However, when asked what does it signifies after India's innings, he said, "I think it is ver self-explanatory. It is just to shut out the noise, not to disrespect anyone. We put in the hard work day in and day out but still there are people out there who try to pull you down, criticize you and say a lot of things. At times you need to neglect them. So that's just a message to shut out that noise.

 

 

The 28-year-old batsman was eventually dismissed in the 45th over of the first innings. He hit seven fours and two sixes on his way to his ton and maintained an impressive strike-rate of 94.74. He became the first player from either side to score a hundred in the ongoing three-match ODI series. Rahul’s century was his first against England and second at home.

 

 

Critics had criticized him due to his low scores in the T20I series against England. He was also dropped from the final T20I against England. In the first four T20Is during the series, Rahul managed to gather just 15 runs. However, Rahul had bounced back in the ODI series opener by scoring 62* off 43 deliveries in an innings laced with four boundaries and four sixes.

 

 

Ahead of the second ODI, he had said, “I feel being in the middle and playing games is what keeps me in good touch. Having not got as much game time as I would have liked, I mean I won’t say it did not play on my mind, but somehow or the other you have to find a way to be best prepared, be it at training or open net sessions.”

 

After India lost both the openers quickly, skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul build a crucial partnership. They together laid the foundation in the middle-overs and then Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya provided the fireworks towards the end to take India to 336/6.