KL Rahul has added another memorable entry to India’s ODI batting record after producing a magnificent 129 at No. 5 against West Indies in New Chandigarh on Saturday. His unbeaten century came in a high-pressure situation and helped India post a formidable total, underlining his ability to adapt to different roles in the batting order.

Rahul’s latest performance also puts him among India’s highest individual scorers when batting at No. 5 in ODIs. Over the years, several Indian batters have made the position their own and produced match-defining innings from the middle order.

Top three highest individual ODI scores for India while batting at No. 5:

1. Yuvraj Singh – 139 vs Australia, Sydney, 2004

Yuvraj Singh remains at the top of the list with his magnificent 139 against Australia in Sydney in 2004.

The innings came during the early part of Yuvraj’s international career, but it showcased the qualities that would eventually make him one of India’s most feared limited-overs batters.

Batting at No. 5, Yuvraj had the opportunity to attack the Australian bowling attack from the middle order. He combined clean striking with excellent timing and built his innings into a substantial score.

His 139 remains the highest individual ODI score by an Indian batter at No. 5. It is also a reminder of Yuvraj’s ability to turn a middle-order opportunity into a huge individual contribution.

Yuvraj’s strength was his ability to hit boundaries without appearing rushed. His elegant left-handed strokeplay, particularly through the off side and down the ground, made him a difficult batter to contain once he found his rhythm.

Even more than two decades later, his 139 continues to occupy the No. 1 position on this particular Indian batting list.

2. MS Dhoni – 134 vs England, Cuttack, 2017

MS Dhoni sits second with an outstanding 134 against England in Cuttack in 2017.

This was a vintage Dhoni innings. The former India captain was known primarily for his finishing ability, but this knock demonstrated that he could also construct a long innings and dominate an opposition over an extended period.

Dhoni initially took his time before launching his trademark counterattack. Once he settled at the crease, his powerful hitting became increasingly difficult for England’s bowlers to control.

His ability to rotate the strike and then suddenly clear the boundary was one of the defining characteristics of his batting. The 134 was a perfect example of how Dhoni could pace an innings according to the match situation.

The Cuttack century remains the second-highest ODI score for India at No. 5, with Dhoni narrowly behind Yuvraj’s 139.

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Dhoni’s contribution also highlights the importance of the No. 5 position in India’s ODI history. The role often requires a batter to rebuild after early wickets while still possessing the ability to accelerate later in the innings.

3. KL Rahul – 129 not out vs West Indies, New Chandigarh, 2026

Rahul’s unbeaten 129 against West Indies is the latest addition to this elite list.

India endured a nightmare start after Shubman Gill was dismissed for one and Virat Kohli fell for a duck, leaving the team in early trouble. Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad then rebuilt the innings before Rahul arrived at No. 5.

Rahul initially played the role of an anchor. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, he rotated the strike and waited for opportunities to attack. His half-century came from 41 balls, but the real acceleration arrived during the latter stages.

Once Rahul reached his century, he went into another gear. He eventually finished unbeaten on 129 from 87 balls, helping India reach 351/7 from their 50 overs. His innings included 10 fours and 6 sixes, coming at a strike rate above 148.

The century was particularly significant because it was Rahul’s ninth ODI hundred and his highest ODI score. It also helped him reach the landmark of 10,000 international runs, making him the 15th Indian cricketer to achieve the feat.

Although West Indies eventually chased down India’s 352-run target, Rahul’s innings firmly placed him alongside Yuvraj and Dhoni in the record books.

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