KL Rahul gifts match award phone to ground staff in Wellington ODI
Synopsis
KL Rahul won the Game Changer of the Match award for his unbeaten 26 in a tense DLS chase in Wellington — then quietly handed the prize phone to a ground staff member. The BCCI's video of the moment, captioned 'Big player. Bigger heart,' went viral, adding a human footnote to India's narrow four-run ODI victory.
Key Takeaways
KL Rahul gifted his Game Changer of the Match mobile phone award to a ground staff member after the second ODI in Wellington on Saturday .
The BCCI shared video of the gesture on X with the caption 'Big player.
Bigger heart' , which went viral.
Rahul scored an unbeaten 26 off 34 deliveries, anchoring India's chase as seven wickets fell.
India won by four runs under the DLS method , with the visitors at 113 for 7 in 26 overs against a target of 135 .
Rahul and Shreyas Iyer shared a critical 39-run fifth-wicket stand before Iyer was dismissed for 30 .
India lead the three-match ODI series heading into the final game.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul turned heads off the field on Saturday in Wellington after gifting his Game Changer of the Match award — a mobile phone — to a ground staff member following the rain-affected second ODI between India and New Zealand. The gesture drew warm appreciation from fans and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alike.
The Moment That Went Viral
The BCCI captured the exchange on video and posted it to its official account on X with the caption, 'Big player. Bigger heart'. In the clip, the ground staff member can be seen visibly surprised as Rahul hands over the phone, before turning to the camera to explain what had just happened.
'He just gave me his phone that he won. I am a bit shocked. But it was very kind of him to hand it over to me. I wasn't expecting it. That's for sure,' she said in the video. Rahul, standing nearby, was seen smiling warmly as she acknowledged his gesture.
Why Rahul Won the Award
The 34-year-old was named the Game Changer of the Match for his composed, unbeaten innings during a pressure-laden chase. India secured a narrow four-run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after persistent rain halted the second ODI with the visitors placed at 113 for 7 in 26 overs, chasing a target of 135.
Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 off 34 deliveries, contributing two boundaries and a six. He was instrumental in steadying India's innings after the side had collapsed to a precarious position, losing seven wickets in the chase.
The Innings in Context
At the crease together, Rahul and Shreyas Iyer stitched a crucial 39-run fifth-wicket partnership before Iyer departed for 30. With New Zealand's pace attack keeping India under constant pressure, Rahul held his end firm. India ultimately finished four runs ahead of the DLS par score when rain ended play for the final time, sealing the win.
Notably, the gesture adds another chapter to a growing list of on-tour moments where Indian cricketers have connected with local support staff — a tradition that has quietly built goodwill on overseas tours.
Reaction and Appreciation
The BCCI's post on X triggered an outpouring of praise for Rahul across social media. Fans highlighted the spontaneity of the act, pointing out that the cricketer appeared to have made the decision independently rather than through any organised team initiative. The clip quickly gained traction, reinforcing Rahul's reputation both as a dependable middle-order batter and as a cricketer with a generous spirit off the pitch.
India now lead the three-match ODI series with the third and final game still to come.
Point of View
However, is that the BCCI's swift amplification of the clip also serves an institutional image purpose: at a time when player-board relations and touring-team conduct face scrutiny, 'Big player. Bigger heart' is precisely the narrative the board wants circulating. The cricket itself — a nervy DLS win with seven wickets down — deserved its own headline; the off-field story may have inadvertently overshadowed it.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did KL Rahul do with his Game Changer of the Match award?
KL Rahul gifted the mobile phone he received as the Game Changer of the Match award to a ground staff member at the venue in Wellington after the second ODI against New Zealand on Saturday. The BCCI shared a video of the moment on X, where the staff member described herself as 'a bit shocked' but grateful.
How did India win the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington?
India won by four runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after rain halted play with India at 113 for 7 in 26 overs while chasing a target of 135. KL Rahul's unbeaten 26 helped India stay ahead of the DLS par score when play was called off for the final time.
Why was KL Rahul named Game Changer of the Match?
Rahul was named Game Changer of the Match for his unbeaten innings of 26 off 34 deliveries, which helped steady India's chase after the side lost seven wickets. He stitched a key 39-run fifth-wicket partnership with Shreyas Iyer and ensured India remained above the DLS par score throughout the rain interruptions.
What did the ground staff member say after receiving the phone from Rahul?
In the BCCI's video, the staff member said: 'He just gave me his phone that he won. I am a bit shocked. But it was very kind of him to hand it over to me. I wasn't expecting it. That's for sure.'
Where does the India vs New Zealand ODI series stand after the second match?
India lead the three-match ODI series after securing the DLS win in Wellington. The third and final ODI is still to be played.
