Praise for Rahul as Cup squeeze looms

KL Rahul has pushed his case to be part of India’s World Cup squad as he struck his maiden Indian Premier League century for Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday.

Rahul, who returned home early from India's tour of Australia in January alongside teammate Hardik Pandya following controversial remarks made on a television show, made an unbeaten 100 off 64 deliveries against Mumbai.

He plundered 54 from the final three overs of the innings, including 25 off one from Pandya, but his effort was in vain as Kings XI went down by three wickets.

Rahul's knock comes at an opportune time, with the Indian selectors scheduled on Monday to announce their squad for the 50-over showpiece event in England, beginning next month.

Rahul played just one match in India’s five-match series against Australia last month and is not guaranteed of earning a ticket to the UK.

With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan considered locks at the top of India’s batting order, Rahul’s preferred position, the versatile right-hander is battling the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Yadav, Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik for a spot in the squad.

Rahul, who recently admitted to having doubts about himself after being sent home from Australia, hit six fours and six sixes as he surpassed his previous IPL best of 94.

He is the fourth batsman this IPL season to score a hundred after Indian Sanju Samson, England's Jonny Bairstow and Australia's David Warner.

"I like him as a batsman. He has got great technique, he has got a lot of style," said West Indies batting great Brian Lara on Star Sports.

"(Rahul’s teammate) Chris Gayle got out and he knew he had to bat till the end. To get a hundred in an IPL game is amazing. I just love the way he bats and I can watch him bat every single day."

Rahul, who has two international T20 hundreds, put on 116 runs with Gayle, who hit 63 off 36 deliveries to lay the foundation of their team's 4-197.

Mumbai's stand-in-skipper Kieron Pollard hit 83 off 31 balls, including three fours and 10 sixes, to help his team chase down their 198-run target on the last ball.