Three top-order batsmen were ejected from India’s opening Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Australia without opening their accounts, which led to some unusual circumstances. Australia were poised to defend their 200-run total when players like Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer all went down for ducks. However, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli put the Australian strategy to the test by leading the side to win in the high-profile match while putting up an outstanding batting performance. Rahul acknowledged that it was unprecedented for India to lose three wickets so rapidly in an open conversation with Kohli following the game. Scroll down to read KL Rahul Gets Candid With Virat Kohli Over IND vs. AUS.
KL Rahul Gets Candid With Virat Kohli Over IND vs. AUS
Rahul and Kohli batted like it was a Test match after India’s early meltdown, eliminating the early threat and waiting for their opportunities to score runs. The pair focused on spinning the strike across the goal lines. Rahul said that despite the move’s success, he felt exhausted after the game.
“I won’t say I’m not tired. After 50–70 runs of the partnership, there was just one conversation: “Let’s conserve our energy. Let’s not run the twos.” We smacked it in the gaps, and our instincts kicked in, and we began to sprint. To begin the World Cup with a victory was fantastic,” Rahul added.
Rahul said that he had not anticipated the Indian squad losing three wickets in the first two overs. He anticipated Shreyas Iyer to play a few more overs after coming on, so he was shocked to see him go early as well.
“I didn’t anticipate it. The loss of a few wickets occurs while the ball is moving. not in that manner. Instead of 1.5 or 2 overs, it still requires 4 or 5. As soon as I got out of the shower, all I did was come sit. I hurried to get bandaged up and started wearing my pads as soon as Ishan came out. Then Shreyas and Rohit left. I anticipated Shreyas would bat for at least two overs,” he continued.
He said, “But he was out on the first or second ball.”
Virat And Rahul’s Partnership
The best aspect of Kohli’s partnership with Rahul was how relaxed they were just bouncing the ball about.
Speaking about the partnership, Virat said, “One of the best things about our relationship was how happy we were to simply smack the ball around, not really looking at our runs or balls, just battling through the physical difficulties of what we had been through. You get more tense and exhausted under pressure. I believe that simply slapping the ball about and maybe knocking down 10-15 runs contributed to the development of our strong connection.”
Rahul went on to say that he intended to play his first ten overs similarly to a Test match of cricket.
The talented batter added, “I had ten overs that I intended to play like a Test match. I do indeed open the batt. We have had instances where the ball took an action. So I instructed myself to be somewhat cautious and stop Australia’s momentum. You were happy to just bash it about. But you also showed intent and punished them when they slipped off the radar.”
