India skipper Rohit Sharma showered rich on KL Rahul after the team’s crushing 228-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in an Asia Cup Super 4 match in Colombo on Monday (September 11).
It was Rahul’s comeback match for the Indian team after a long injury lay-off and the wicketkeeper-batter put on a show with the willow.
It was a last-minute decision to include Rahul in the XI as middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer sustained a back spasm before the marquee clash.
Batting at No. 4, Rahul slammed 111* off 106 balls and shared an unbroken 233-run stand with Virat Kohli (122* off 94 balls) to propel India to a massive 356/2 in 50 overs.
“Virat’s innings was brilliantly paced. And then KL, last minute to get back from injury and play 5 minutes before the toss. We told him to get ready. Shows the mindset of the player. Looking at how we batted, there were lots of positives with the openers and then Virat and KL,” said Rohit at the post-match presentation ceremony.
In reply, Pakistan’s innings folded for a paltry 128 in just 32 overs. It was a listless batting performance from the Men in Green as no one managed to touch the 30-run mark. Fakhar Zaman top scored with 27.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, returning with the figures of 5 for 25 in his eight overs.
“It was a fantastic performance, right from yesterday. When we started, we knew the wicket was good and we had to adjust with the rain, the two experienced guys we knew they’d take time to get their eye in and then we can get going,” the Indian captain added after thrashing Pakistan on reserve day.
It was also Jasprit Bumrah’s first chance to bowl in an ODI game after his comeback from a back surgery.
“He looked good. He swung it both ways and he’s worked really hard for the last 8-10 months. Bumrah is only 27 (nearly 30), for him to miss games isn’t ideal but the way he bowled showed what he is all about,” Rohit said.
The skipper also thanked the Premadasa ground staff for their tremendous job to ensure a full game despite multiple rain interruptions.
“We just wanted to get out on the park, to get some game time. Lot of guys haven’t had that. That could only happen thanks to a great effort from the groundsmen. I know how tough it is to cover and remove covers from the whole ground. On behalf of the entire team, we would like to thank them.”
(With PTI Inputs)
