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NEW DELHI: India middle-order batter KL Rahul put up a remarkable show as his unbeaten 97 took India to their first win of 2023 ODI world Cup against Australia in Chennai on Sunday.
Rahul along with Virat Kohli (85) put up an incredible 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket as India chased down the 200 target with 52 balls to spare.
However things weren’t that simple at the start of the chase as India began in the worst possible manner, losing three wickets for just 2 runs in the first two overs.
Rahul, who had kept wickets for 50 overs and was looking to catch his breath, had to rush in after three of four India top-order batters returned to the pavilions for ducks.
“I had just taken a shower and was hoping to put my feet up for half an hour after the fielding innings. I was just trying to get my breath back but had to come in,” said Player of the Match Rahul after India’s win.
With India reeling at 2 for 3 right at the start, Rahul and Kohli put up a superb show, taking India out of troubled waters. Reflecting on his stand, Rahul said that Kohli cautioned him about the wicket and said to ‘play a bit like Test cricket’ at the start.
“There weren’t a lot of conversations with Kohli. Virat said there’s a bit in the wicket, so play like Test cricket for a while. There was a bit of help for the pacers with the new ball, and then the spinners also. In the last 15-20 overs, dew played a part and that helped quite a bit. The ball also skidded on better. However, it was a bit two-paced, it wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on and it wasn’t flat as well. It was a good cricket wicket, bit for the batters and the bowlers. That’s what you get in the south of India, especially Chennai,” Rahul said.
India will play their second game of the tournament against Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11.
Rahul along with Virat Kohli (85) put up an incredible 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket as India chased down the 200 target with 52 balls to spare.
However things weren’t that simple at the start of the chase as India began in the worst possible manner, losing three wickets for just 2 runs in the first two overs.
Rahul, who had kept wickets for 50 overs and was looking to catch his breath, had to rush in after three of four India top-order batters returned to the pavilions for ducks.
“I had just taken a shower and was hoping to put my feet up for half an hour after the fielding innings. I was just trying to get my breath back but had to come in,” said Player of the Match Rahul after India’s win.
With India reeling at 2 for 3 right at the start, Rahul and Kohli put up a superb show, taking India out of troubled waters. Reflecting on his stand, Rahul said that Kohli cautioned him about the wicket and said to ‘play a bit like Test cricket’ at the start.
“There weren’t a lot of conversations with Kohli. Virat said there’s a bit in the wicket, so play like Test cricket for a while. There was a bit of help for the pacers with the new ball, and then the spinners also. In the last 15-20 overs, dew played a part and that helped quite a bit. The ball also skidded on better. However, it was a bit two-paced, it wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on and it wasn’t flat as well. It was a good cricket wicket, bit for the batters and the bowlers. That’s what you get in the south of India, especially Chennai,” Rahul said.
India will play their second game of the tournament against Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11.
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