“I Hit It Too Well”, KL Rahul on the Shot that Denied Him Century Against Australia

In a riveting ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 opener at Chennai’s iconic Chepauk Stadium, KL Rahul emerged as the star of the show, guiding India to a memorable victory over Australia. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia faced India’s relentless bowling and fielding, managing to post a total of 199.

Australia’s Challenge:

Australia’s innings began with uncertainty as they lost Mitchell Marsh early in the contest. However, the partnership between David Warner and Steve Smith provided some stability. Smith’s ominous presence was noticeable, but the turning point came when India’s relentless efforts led to Warner’s dismissal. Ravindra Jadeja, India’s left-arm spinner, delivered a brilliant ball to remove Smith, leaving Australia struggling at 140/7 after being 110/2. Despite the challenging situation, Australia’s lower order, led by Mitchell Starc‘s valuable 28 runs, managed to push the total to 199.

KL Rahul’s Outstanding Inning:

India’s chase began on a shaky note, losing three early wickets. It was at this juncture that KL Rahul stepped up to the plate, partnering with Virat Kohli to orchestrate a remarkable turnaround. Their partnership, accumulating 164 runs, now stands as India’s highest against Australia in a World Cup match. KL Rahul’s unbeaten 97 off 115 balls was the standout performance, guiding India to victory with a crucial six. Virat Kohli’s contribution of 85 runs off 116 balls was equally pivotal.

Rahul’s Post-Match Insights:

After the game, KL Rahul shared his thoughts, saying, “Quite honestly not a lot of conversation, I thought I’d get a good shower and get a break. 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 also commented on his remarkable final six, saying, “I hit it too well, I just calculated how to get to a 100 in the end. The only way for four and a six, but no qualms on not getting to that hundred.”

With this impressive victory led by KL Rahul, India now occupies the 5th position on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 points table. The match exemplified India’s resilience and skill in transforming a challenging situation into a triumphant win.

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