Twitter Reactions: KL Rahul's brilliant hundred on debut guides India to a 9 wicket victory

The new look Indian side guided by MS Dhoni took on Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Harare. India won a crucial toss as Dhoni elected to field first. For India, Nair, Chahal and KL Rahul made their ODI debuts.

Zimbabwe didn’t begin quite well as Sran struck in his first over. They struggled to put runs on the board. While players like Raza and Ervine got starts, they failed to convert it into big ones. Chigumbara was the highest run scorer with 41(65) as Zimbabwe got all out on the penultimate ball.

The Zimmers could only set a target of 169 for the Indian team. Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers as he bowled a great spell and got 4 wickets in his kitty. Kulkarni and Sran also got a couple of wickets apiece. While there wasn’t much turn on the pitch, Chahal and Axar were quite economical.

Chasing a paltry 169, Nair didn’t have a great debut as he got out early. From there on, both KL Rahul and Rayudu put up a 162 run unbeaten partnership for the 2nd wicket. While Rahul scored a brilliant hundred on his ODI debut and became the first Indian batsman to do so, Rayudu too scored a sensational half-century as India cruised to victory.

In the end, India won comfortably by a thumping 9 wicket margin. Chatara was the lone wicket taker for Zimbabwe as the rest of the bowlers failed to exert any kind of pressure against a not so comprehensive total.

Also read – Top 10 Highest individual scores on ODI debut

Twitter kept everyone entertained as the new season began for Indian cricket. While many were excited to watch Dhoni foster confidence into the young side, many found solace in watching deserving youngsters make their debut in the blue jersey. Here are some of the Twitter reactions that took place during the course of the game.

We already know KL Rahul from his test performances. He either scores in single figures or makes a hundred. #ZIMvIND

— cricBC (@cricBC) June 11, 2016

Thumping win for India, top innings from Rahul and fighting one from Rayudu. Ntini can answer which string side beat them today.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/741631512425037825

Congratulations @klrahul11!!! ???? wouldn't have wanted anyone else to go past the record!!More power to u brother!! ???

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) June 11, 2016

India don't have to play too many ODIs after this series, so the batsman are already practicing for upcoming test. Fucking genius #ZimvInd

— Jatin (@LogicalBakwaas) June 11, 2016

Fastest to 1000 ODI runs for India:
24 Kohli, Dhawan
25 Sidhu
29 MSD, RAYUDU
30 Manjrekar#ZIMvIND

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) June 11, 2016

Lacklustre Zimbabwe easy meat for India. Fine debut though by K L Rahul. Looks set to challenge limited overs team regulars too

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 11, 2016

This is for the FIRST time after 2009 any Indian batsman used more than 88 balls to score a fifty in an ODI match. #ZIMvIND

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 11, 2016

KL Rahul becomes the 13th Indian to score fifty on ODI debut. 11th Indian is on other end while 12th Indian might come next. #ZIMvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 11, 2016

Watching #ZIMvIND match. pic.twitter.com/KQRPr0gYq1

— Smoking Skills (@SmokingSkills_) June 11, 2016

Whenever Zimbabwe's economic condition goes down, they arrange a cricket series with India.#ZIMvIND

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) June 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/741570254128578560

Sran is India's answer to Pakistani fast bowlers, sadly only in terms of fielding #INDvsZIM #ZIMvIND

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) June 11, 2016

A quiet stadium isn't always a bad thing. Listening MSD over stump mic is fun. #ZIMvIND

— cricBC (@cricBC) June 11, 2016

MSD seems very animated behind the stimps when Chahal is bowling. Just the kind of feels when you have a leggie in your attack. #ZIMvIND

— Manya ? (@CSKian716) June 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/741521196546564098

Sran is going to be a liability on the field of what we've seen today as well as in the IPL. #ZIMvIND

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) June 11, 2016

For a change, Dhoni will be captaining a stronger side after 2 months #ZIMvIND

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) June 11, 2016