Star India batter KL Rahul shone with the bat during India’s opening game in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 vs Australia on Sunday, October 08 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Coming in to bat at number five, Rahul played a magnificent innings of 97* (115) smashing eight fours and two sixes. He got involved in a massive 165-run stand off 212 balls with Virat Kohli (85 off 116) for the fifth wicket after India were left reeling at 2/3.
Rahul finished the game in style as he played an astonishing lofted extra cover drive vs Pat Cummins which cleared the fence and went all the way for a six. The shot left everyone speechless as it was aesthetically pleasing and was timed to perfection as it landed over the ropes. Even Rahul himself couldn’t believe what he had done as he was down on his haunches with his eyes wide open in disbelief.
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Notably, Rahul was batting on 91 and India needed five runs to win before his last six. The 31-year-old would’ve been eyeing his seventh ODI hundred by scoring a four and six against Cummins. However, he ended up playing a majestic lofted extra cover drive for a six which left him stranded on 97 and he was left dumbstruck.
Rahul in top form since his comeback
Notably, Rahul has been in sensational form ever since his comeback to international cricket in Asia Cup 2023. Since his comeback, he’s scored 402 runs in seven innings at an average of 100.5 and a strike rate of 92 with one hundred and three fifties to his name.
Earlier in the match, Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the decision wasn’t vindicated by his batters who got bundled out for 199 in 49.3 overs as Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball with figures of 3/28 in ten overs.
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Meanwhile, India will next lock horns with Afghanistan on Wednesday, October 11 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. On the other hand, Australia will face South Africa on Thursday, October 12 in Lucknow.