![Ethiopia Reiterates Demand for Red Sea Access As Conflict Persists [HTML CONTENT] Issued on: 05/10/2026 – 22:28 14:28 min From the show](https://i0.wp.com/s.france24.com/media/display/557da3c6-c0fa-11f1-92cb-13420ab900a2/w:1280/p:16x9/ANGL261005-2140-Live-01.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Ethiopia Reiterates Demand for Red Sea Access As Conflict Persists [HTML CONTENT] Issued on: 05/10/2026 – 22:28 14:28 min From the show")
.jpeg?ssl=1)
KL Rahul‘s ninth ODI hundred dominated the narrative for India in the series decider, as he delivered a masterful unbeaten 129 from 87 balls against the West Indies at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, October 03.
Following the innings, Rahul addressed candidly the difficulties of the middle-order position since the ICC implemented a major alteration to ODI ball regulations effective July 2025. This change abolished the long-standing tradition of bowling with two new balls across an innings, opting instead for a single ball utilized from the 35th over onward.
“It’s very different, but I’ve been doing this role for the last 6-7 years. In the last year and a half, since the ball change rule has happened, it’s been very different. It’s not been easy to get 80-90 in the last 10 overs. The ball’s been getting reverse swing, and even in this game, once the ball got old and soft, and started to reverse swing, as a batter, you don’t feel confident enough to take on the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielder if it’s a big boundary on that side,” Rahul was quoted as saying by JioStar.
The veteran batter, who serves as deputy to skipper Shubman Gill, explained his evolution from a top-order specialist to a middle-order stalwart for the Men in Blue. According to the Mangalore-born cricketer, success hinges on comprehending the specific role the team demands rather than imposing personal preferences.
“I’ve always batted top of the order, and I like the hard ball coming onto me, I can use the pace. So that’s something I’ve been working on, trying to play with softer, older balls and being able to hit sixes with that. So, that’s something I’ve worked on. I constantly try to get better within my own game, understand my role, understand what a number five and number six batter has to do to consistently put up performances for the team,” Rahul added.
Rahul is next slated to participate in the multi-format series against New Zealand, commencing later this month. The experienced campaigner is projected to feature in both the ODI and Test squads, fulfilling key responsibilities across formats and batting positions.
