KL Rahul’s unbeaten century powers India to 351 after early collapse

India overcame a dramatic early collapse to post a formidable 351 for 7 against West Indies, with KL Rahul producing a brilliant unbeaten century after Jayden Seales reduced the hosts to 4 for 2.

Rahul finished on 129 not out, his ninth ODI hundred and his highest score in the format, while Rohit Sharma contributed a composed 92. Ruturaj Gaikwad added a fortunate 57 as India recovered from a disastrous start to build a strong total.

West Indies had made the perfect beginning after Seales dismissed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in quick succession. Gill gloved a delivery down the leg side before Kohli missed a straight ball to depart for a golden duck.

The early wickets left India struggling at 4 for 2, and they endured their longest wait for a first boundary in four years. Rohit, however, responded with the experience that has defined his ODI career. After scoring just 21 from his first 43 deliveries, he began to attack in the 17th over.

A pulled six and a cover-driven four off Alzarri Joseph changed the momentum of the innings and pushed India's run rate beyond four an over for the first time.

West Indies' fielding also let them down badly, with at least six catches going down, including four chances involving Gaikwad. Several errors in the field and inconsistent bowling allowed India to rebuild.

Rohit eventually accelerated to 92 before falling to Keemo Paul, bringing Rahul to the crease in the 25th over.

Rahul initially took his time, scoring only eight runs from his first 14 balls. But once the West Indies bowlers began missing their lengths, he shifted gears. He took advantage of loose deliveries from Vitel Lawes and steadily built another crucial partnership.

Gaikwad eventually fell for 57, caught at point off Seales, who finally earned the rewards for an impressive spell. Naman Dhir then threatened to take the game away from West Indies with a brisk 30 from 21 balls before being caught at extra cover.

Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled to find his rhythm and edged Paul through to the wicketkeeper, leaving India at 250 for 6 with nine overs remaining.

That brought debutant Anshul Kamboj to the crease. The No. 8 showed exactly the kind of power India were looking for, striking two sixes after Gudakesh Motie dropped short twice in the 44th over. Kamboj's aggressive cameo provided Rahul with valuable support before he was dismissed.

Gurnoor Brar then played a useful supporting role, rotating the strike and allowing Rahul to remain at the crease.

The final phase belonged entirely to Rahul. He manipulated the field intelligently, picked up boundaries with remarkable efficiency and punished even the slightest errors in the West Indies bowling.

Rather than aggressively farming the strike, Rahul repeatedly chose to remain at the non-striker's end when an extra run was available, ensuring he faced the deliveries he wanted. His clean ball-striking made the final overs increasingly difficult for the West Indies bowlers.

With West Indies also suffering from a slow over rate, India had an additional fielder inside the circle for the final three overs. Rahul took full advantage, smashing 50 runs from those last three overs as India surged to 351 for 7.

Seales finished with figures of 3 for 62, while Joseph was economical early on, taking 4-1-15-0 in his opening spell.

After being reduced to 4 for 2, India had not only recovered but produced a total that put them in a commanding position, led by Rahul's superb unbeaten 129.