Rahul rues hitting the last ball too well

Imagine being disappointed after timing a Pat Cummins delivery so well that it goes for a six over covers. 

Most people don't. However, India’s number 5 did. 

“I hit it too well; I just calculated how to get to a 100 in the end. The only way was a four and a six, but no qualms on not getting to that hundred”, KL Rahul said to the official broadcasters after the match. 

KL Rahul made 97* in India’s chase after being thrust into bat when the team had lost three wickets for just two runs. When asked if he and Virat talked about how to put India’s chase on track, the wicketkeeper batter replied with a smile, “Quite honestly, not a lot of conversation, I thought I’d get a good shower and get a break. I was just trying to get my breath back.”

On a pitch where there was enough seam movement for pacers and quite a lot of help from spinners, Rahul batted with an assured fashion that Indian fans have come to associate with him as a number 5 batter in ODIs. His average of 56.5 with an SR of 96.58 is a further testimony of his prowess at that number. 

Speaking about the conditions and challenges on offer, he said - 

“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.”

In tricky conditions at Chepauk, KL played without much ado against the pacers and spinners, with his strike rotation and deft touches against Adam Zampa standing out. His defence was tested early, but he came out of it with flying colours, falling just three short of what would have been one of the most memorable hundreds against Australia in World Cup history. 

However, his 97* would make Indian fans quite happy about the health of India's middle batting going forward into the World Cup. In this ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India will next play Afghanistan in Delhi on the 11th of October.