Karnataka batsman KL Rahul (Kannanur Lokesh Rahul) celebrates his birthday on April 18 with the stylish batsman turning 27. He has been in great form in the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 helping his team Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) win some crucial games. These performances have helped him clinch a World Cup berth which looked impossible a few months ago with the whole ‘Koffee With Karan’ incident. But his brilliant technique coupled with Virat Kohli’s faith in him saw him get over the bad phase in his career. Let us look at few of his innings that justify his place in the Indian Cricket Team’s 15-man World Cup squad. Hardik Pandya Shares a Picture With Kings XI Punjab Opening Batsman KL Rahul on Occasion of the Former’s Birthday.

100* vs Zimbabwe – Harare - 2016

Playing in his first ODI game, KL Rahul marked the occasion with a century and in the process becoming the first Indian to score a century on debut. Chasing 169 for a win, his unbeaten 100 helped India to register an emphatic win. The confidence he showed against the bowlers was brilliant to watch, and he was successful in becoming an alternative opening option for the selectors.

110* vs West Indies – Lauderhill – 2016

Coming in at no 4 in a T20 international game, KL Rahul became the only cricketer in the world to hit a century in that or lower position. His unbeaten 100 ultimately went in vain as India lost by a margin of 1 run chasing a mammoth total of 246 for a victory. His 51 ball 110 included six sixes and 12 fours toying around with the West Indies bowling line-up. KL Rahul Included in Team India for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Check Full 15-Man Squad.

101* vs England – Manchester – 2018

Forging a wonderful partnership with skipper Virat Kohli against England in the first T20 game of the 2018 England India series, Rahul remained not out on 101 of 54 balls to help India chase down 160. When he came into bat, his team had lost Shikhar Dhawan early on, and the bowlers looked like dominating. But Rahul showed a clam head scoring valuable runs under pressure.

199 vs England – Chennai – 2016

Opening the innings against a quality bowling unit of England, K L Raul scored a brilliant 199 in the fifth test at Chennai at a strike rate of 63 which is very healthy in test match cricket. India finished with 759/7 going on to claim a 75-run victory over the Three Lions. What was special about Rahul’s innings was his approach against the new ball where he looked to attack with every opportunity available and not get bogged down by the swing.

These were a few innings that showed how special KL Rahul can be on his day and in future, we will bet to see more of this on a frequent basis in international cricket from him.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 18, 2019 11:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).