KL Rahul joins ex-Indian keeper in the elite list during the 3rd ODI against South Africa

KL Rahul created history on Thursday as he became the only second wicketkeeper from India to score 1000 runs in ODI cricket in a single calendar year. 

Rahul reached this milestone during the third ODI match of India versus South Africa in Paarl. The wicketkeeper batter contributed 21 runs off 35 balls in the series finale. 

Out of 27 ODI matches this year, he amassed 1060 runs at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 87.74. The 31-year-old has registered two centuries and seven half-centuries with the highest score of 111*. 

Sixteen years ago, India’s legendary skipper MS Dhoni was the first Indian wicketkeeper to attain this incredible feat. 

In the year 2007, Dhoni accumulated 1103 runs in 33 ODI innings across 37 matches at an average of 44.12, hitting a century and seven half-centuries in the process. The following year, Dhoni scored 1097 runs at an average of 57.73, with a ton and eight fifties.

He didn’t stop after these, the legendary captain went on to make 2009 his best year with the bat. During the tenure, he scored 1198 runs at an average of 70.47, with two centuries and nine fifties,  His best score was 124.

After 14 years of that feat, KL Rahul has evolved as the second-ever wicket-keeper from Team India to cross the 1000 ODI run feat in a calendar year.