- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The duo scored half-centuries after India were reduced for 2 for 3 wickets by Australia while chasing a modest target of 200.
By: Shubham Ghosh
WHILE the ace India batting duo of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul came to the rescue of their team against Australia in the hosts’ opening campaign in the ICC World Cup 2023, both looked dejected after the match in Chennai ended with almost nine overs to spare.
India, who bowled well to skittle out Australia for 199 inside 50 overs after the latter won the toss and were well-placed at 110 for 2 once, were left reeling at 2 for 3 while chasing with three of their top batters getting dismissed for zero. It was then when Kohli (85) and Rahul (97 not out) came together and added 165 runs to turn the game to their favour. India eventually won the match by six wickets after Kohli’s dismissal with Rahul taking them home in the company of Hardik Pandya.
But why were the two India heroes apparently disappointed after the match result that earned their team two crucial points?
Rahul hit a six to take India past their target of 200 and that left him stranded at 97 not out, just three short of a well-deserved century. He was seen wearing a crestfallen look and sitting on his knees after India won the game.
The expression was rather of regret since Rahul might have planned to hit a boundary first and then a six to accomplish the twin targets of winning the match and scoring a hundred. But since it did not happen, he was momentarily dejected but soon his expression turned into one of celebration as the team won and that mattered the most in this high-profile tournament.
Rahul slammed two consecutive fifties against the same opponents at the recent home series, showing his knack of scoring runs against the former world champions.
Revealing it at the post-match presentation, Rahul said, “(Last shot for six) I hit it too well. I wanted to get a hundred by going four and six. Hopefully, some other time I can get it.”
Kohli was also seen sad and frustrated in the dressing room as the ace batter also regretted the missed chance of scoring a hundred on the highest platform.
Virat regrets not being able to make the Match for India. HE is GOAT he is KING he is the best Chase master. But the hunger to Finish the game makes him the Best.
#ViratKohli #KLRahul #HardikPandya #RohitSharma? #INDvAUS #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/rfez1QPUyV
— Rajveer Jatav? (@RajveerJatab) October 8, 2023
Even though Kohli could not get one hundred closer to compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s record 49 centuries in one-day internationals, he eclipsed his predecessor on yet another count. His 85 scored at MA Chidambaram Stadium saw him overtaking Tendulkar in scoring the most number of runs in successful chases. Kohli now has scored 5,517 runs in successful run chases, bettering Tendulkar’s 5,490. However, the former has done it at a staggering average of 89 while the former cricketer has done it at 55.5.
Virat Kohli now has the most runs in successful run chase in ODI history.
KING KOHLI – THE GOAT…!!! pic.twitter.com/V8PbCuVPWD
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 8, 2023
