Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has showered rich praise on KL Rahul following the batter’s composed and unbeaten century in the second ODI against New Zealand, played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14. Although India eventually suffered a seven-wicket defeat, Rahul’s knock stood out as a reminder of his value in pressure situations.

Walking in at No. 4 after the dismissal of Shreyas Iyer, Rahul once again found himself in a challenging scenario. The Indian middle order had been tested, but the 33-year-old responded with remarkable calm and authority. Facing 92 deliveries, Rahul remained unbeaten on 112, striking 11 boundaries and a six, anchoring the innings till the very end and lifting India to a competitive total.

Sunil Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports, described KL Rahul as India’s modern-day “crisis man,” drawing a direct comparison with former India great Rahul Dravid. “He’s always been a class act and a wonderful batter to watch. He has everything—technique, temperament, and a wide range of shots,” Gavaskar said.

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The former India captain, who amassed over 10,000 Test runs between 1971 and 1987, emphasized Rahul’s reliability when the team finds itself under pressure. “Just like another Rahul from Karnataka, Rahul Dravid, whenever there is trouble, you can depend on KL Rahul. You breathe easy knowing he will take care of the situation,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar also highlighted Rahul’s adaptability across batting positions. Whether opening the innings or slotting into the middle order at No. 4, 5, or 6, Rahul has consistently shown the ability to absorb pressure and guide the team forward.

“This innings probably gave India 40 to 50 extra runs. If he had gotten out early, India might not have even reached 240 or 250,” Sunil Gavaskar noted, underlining the impact of Rahul’s contribution.

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Rahul’s importance was evident in the first ODI as well, where he played a crucial role in stabilising the chase after a middle-order wobble. In the series opener at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, he remained unbeaten on 29 off 21 balls as India successfully chased 301 with six wickets in hand.

Once again, Rahul proved why he remains one of India’s most dependable batters in high-pressure situations.