Virat Kohli and KL Rahul (Photo Source: twitter)
Virat Kohli delivered a terrific unbeaten century, while KL Rahul made a brilliant comeback. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav recorded his second-best bowling figures in ODIs with 5/25 in eight overs. These outstanding performances helped India defeat Pakistan by a significant margin of 228 runs, marking their biggest victory by runs against Pakistan in ODIs.
With this win, the Men in Blue topped the table in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, boasting a very good Net Run Rate (NRR) and positioning themselves as dominant contenders in their next match as they aim to secure a spot in the final.
Speaking about how the game unfolded, skipper Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bowl first. Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a quickfire opening start, scoring 61 runs in the first ten overs. They both added 121 runs in their opening partnership. Shadab Khan delivered the first blow, dismissing Rohit Sharma for 56 off 49 balls. In the very next over, Shaheen Afridi struck again, removing Gill for 58 off 52 balls. However, rain interrupted the match, and it was postponed to the reserve day to complete the entire match.
On the reserve day, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli built a substantial partnership of an unbeaten 233 runs, helping India reach a very good total of 356/2 in 50 overs. Virat Kohli ended his innings on 122* off 94 balls with nine fours and three big sixes, while KL Rahul also concluded his innings on 111* off 106 balls with 12 fours and two big sixes. Thanks to both their brilliant knocks, the Men in Blue managed to post a significant total on the board.
In reply, Imam-ul-Haq scored only nine runs and was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, while Babar Azam also fell after adding just ten runs. Pakistan’s middle-order struggled and lost wickets at regular intervals. Fakhar Zaman was the highest scorer for Pakistan with 27 runs. Bumrah, Hardik, and Shardul took one wicket each, while Kuldeep Yadav was in brilliant form, taking a five-for and causing significant damage to the opposition team. For his solid century, Virat Kohli earned the Player of the Match award.
Meanwhile, here are some of the important stats and numbers from the Asia Cup Super 4 3rd Match between India and Pakistan:
966 – Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma hold the record for the highest partnership runs in ODIs in 2023, amassing an impressive 966 runs in 11 innings, with an average of 96.60.
67 – Rohit Sharma has scored 67 half-centuries as an opener for India across formats, equalling Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 67 half-centuries. Sachin Tendulkar has the highest number of half-centuries as an opener for India across formats, with 75.
9 – Rohit Sharma shares the record for the most 50+ scores for India in Asia Cup ODIs with Sachin Tendulkar, as both have scored nine times.
26 – Rohit Sharma also shares the record for the most sixes in the Asia Cup with Shahid Afridi, as both have smashed 26 sixes.
50-Rohit Sharma completed his 50th half-century in ODIs.
4 – This marks the fourth time that India’s top 4 batsmen scored 50+ in ODIs:
| India v England, Indore 2006 | India vs England, Leeds 2007 | India vs Pakistan, Birmingham 2017 | India vs Pakistan, Today |
1 – Kohli and KL Rahul scripted the highest partnership for India against Pakistan in ODIs. The second-highest partnership was between Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar, amassing 231 runs in 1996.
1 – Kohli and KL Rahul scripted the highest partnership in Asia Cup ODIs. The second-highest partnership was between Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed, amassing 224 runs against India in 2012.
3 – This is the third time India’s No.3 and No.4 have scored hundreds in an ODI.
| Rahul Dravid & S Tendulkar vs Kenya, Bristol, 1999 | G Gambhir & Virat Kohli vs SL, Kolkata, 2009 | Virat Kohli & KL Rahul vs PAK, Colombo (RPS), 2023 |
2 – KL Rahul and Virat Kohli registered the second-highest third-wicket partnership for India in ODIs. The highest partnership was achieved by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, scoring 237 runs against Kenya in 1999.
233* – KL Rahul and Virat Kohli also secured the second-highest 3rd-wicket partnership against Pakistan in ODIs. The highest partnership was recorded by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, with 238 runs in Johannesburg in 2013.
111* – KL Rahul achieved his second-highest score in ODIs, with his highest being 112 runs against New Zealand in 2020.
2 – India achieved their second-highest runs in innings in Asia Cup ODIs. The highest total by India in Asia Cup ODI was 374/4 against Hong Kong in 2008.
356 – India equaled their highest total runs in an inning against Pakistan. The previous record was 356/9 in Visakhapatnam in 2005.
4 – Virat Kohli shares the most centuries in Colombo with four centuries, equalling Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya.
4 – Virat Kohli shares the second-most centuries with Kumar Sangakkara in Asia Cup ODIs, with four centuries. Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record with six centuries in Asia Cup ODIs.
267 – Virat Kohli is now the fastest to 13,000 runs in ODIs. The previous record was held by Sachin Tendulkar, who took 321 innings to achieve this milestone in ODIs.
7.00 – Imam-ul-Haq has managed to score only 28 runs at an average of just 7.00 in four ODI innings against India.
28.00 – Babar Azam has scored only 168 runs at an average of 28.00 in six ODi innings against India.
9 – Fakhar Zaman has now gone nine innings without a half-century.
5/25 -Kuldeep Yadav achieved his second-best career bowling figures, taking five-for. His first-best was 6/25 against England in 2018.
2 – Kuldeep Yadav became just the second Indian bowler to pick up a five-for in Asia Cup ODIs.
53 – Virat Kohli equals the second most centuries in winning cause across formats with Sachin Tendulkar. Ricky Ponting is on top with 55 centuries.
228 – This is India’s biggest margin of victory against Pakistan in ODIs by runs.