KL Rahul put on a show with the bat during India’s six-wicket victory over Australia in their World Cup 2023 opener at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday (October 8).
The wicketkeeper-batter arrived in the middle when the hosts were reeling at 2/3 while chasing the target of 200. Amid the pressure situation, Rahul added 165 runs for the fourth wicket with Virat Kohli to bail India out of trouble.
While Kohli got out after scoring 85 off 116 balls, Rahul held the one end firmly and stayed unbeaten on 97 off 115 balls to take India over the finishing line with 52 deliveries to spare.
Impressed with his knock, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar heaped praise on KL Rahul, saying that the latter played a chanceless innings and took pressure off Kohli.
"The way KL Rahul asserted his authority, he looks to be in a different league. Virat Kohli played a great innings but he could not play a chanceless innings. When KL Rahul was batting, he did not give any chance throughout his innings," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
India could have lost Virat Kohli for just 12 but Mitchell Marsh dropped his easy catch during the eighth over of the chase.
"Rahul hit shots when it was needed, and soaked in pressure with the situation of the game was tough. Virat Kohli's dropped catch was the turning point yes, but KL Rahul giving stability was crucial. You play him at any number - in the middle order, and opening, he does well. Don't forget that he kept wickets as well just before this for 50 overs," he added.
Shoaib Akhtar was also effusive in praise of KL Rahul’s fitness. "People laud Virat Kohli for his fitness and his running between the wickets, but KL Rahul is running with him too and also after keeping wickets and that needs to be talked about. KL Rahul is a complete player and needs to be backed throughout," he said.
Ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia, the Men in Blue suffered a huge setback as star opener Shubman Gill was ruled out of the game due to sickness.
Ishan Kishan replaced Gill in India’s playing XI but failed to make a mark. The southpaw bagged a golden duck while going for a big shot against Mitchell Starc in the very first delivery he faced.
Akhtar was critical of Kishan’s dismissal as he said: “Ishan Kishan should be patient and needs to play according to the situation. I know there is aggression and exuberance of youth, and he wants to stamp his authority and he wants to say that ‘I’ve arrived on the scene’. But he needs to show patience.”
India’s next World Cup match is scheduled against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday (October 11).
