KL Rahul and Virat Kohli’s show on the reserve day helped Team India to beat Pakistan in India’s first Super 4s game in the Asia Cup 2023. Both the batters scored a brilliant hundred after the match resumed on day 2. Team India scored a massive 356 on the board in the first inning before Kuldeep Yadav and the pacers did the finishing job. Today, we will talk about both the centurions, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in detail. So let’s start.
Super 4s | Round 2 – Pakistan opted to bowl
Pakistan won the toss in Round 2 of this clash and decided to bowl first. The Indian captain Rohit Sharma off to a flying start as he hit a six over square leg to Shaheen in the very first over.
Indian openers give a huge platform
Both the openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started off really well and put on a massive partnership of 121 runs for the first wicket in just 16.4 overs.
Although Naseem Shah bowled a very good new ball spell. But Shaheen Afridi, on the other hand, hasn’t had a very good day. Naseem also creates two chances against Gill. But Gill survived because of the fielder’s misjudgment.
Rohit, also struggled a little bit against Naseem. But he survived that difficult time and then cashed in later.
Pakistan breaks through after the drinks break
The drink breaks came in as a relief for Pakistan. They got both the openers in quick succession. Shadab Khan got Rohit Sharma in the 17th over when the latter tried to chip it over long off.
Shaheen deceived Shubman Gill with his slower ball and got his wicket in the next over. Pakistan got back in the game slightly.
Rain forces the play to go on a reserve day
When Team India was 147 for 2 in 24.1 overs, rain started to pour down. And the conditions didn’t get better to play the game again. The day was called off with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul at the crease.
KL Rahul & Virat Kohli – ShowTime: Ind vs. Pak Day 2 | KL – KOHLI Show
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli showed their class on day 2. Both took some time to set in. There were some hit and misses from both the batters. But as soon as they got their eyes in, they went after the Pakistani bowlers.
Naseem was again bowling well and Pakistan took a review as well against Virat Kohli off his bowling. But the umpire’s decision stays.
The Pair targeted Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle overs
Pakistan missed the services of one of its main bowlers, Haris Rauf due to a precautionary measure. Iftikhar came into the attack and both the batters took the opportunity to attack him.
KL Rahul hits a six and a four to Iftikhar in his 2nd over. Iftikar’s next over also went for 11 runs.
KL Rahul completes his fifty in the 34th over. The batter didn’t stop there and continued to go after the Pakistani bowlers.
India were 251 for 2 after 40 overs. Virat Kohli also reached his half-century in the 39th over.
India added 105 runs in the last 10 overs
The batting duo added 105 runs in the last 10 overs without giving away their wickets. India scored a huge total of 356 in the first inning. Both the batters, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul scored hundreds in the inning.
Virat Kohli remains not out on 122 off 94 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. KL Rahul also remains not out on 111 off 106 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes.
Virat Kohli becomes the fastest player to score 13000 ODI runs
Virat Kohli becomes the fastest player to reach 13000 ODI runs in international cricket. He achieved this milestone in 267 innings.
Overall, Virat Kohli has scored 13024 runs in 267 innings of 278 matches. He averages 57.63 and has a very excellent strike rate of 93.85. In that period, he scored 47 centuries and 65 half-centuries with the highest score of 183, which also came against Pakistan.
KL Rahul also reached 2,000 runs
KL Rahul also completes his 2000 ODI international runs. He completed 2000 runs in 53 innings. Overall, he has scored 2097 runs in 53 innings of 55 matches with an average of 47.66 and a strike rate of 87.38. Till now, he has scored 6 centuries and 13 half-centuries in ODIs.
Indian Bowlers Finished The Job & Packed Up Pakistan for just 128 runs
The Indian pacers were on the money with the new ball. Jasprit Bumrah bowled an excellent spell along with M Siraj. Hardik Pandya got Babar Azam with the beauty of a delivery.
Then, Kuldeep picked it up and wrapped up Pakistan’s inning. India won the game by 228 runs.
Conclusion
So that’s it for today’s article. Both Rahul and Kohli scoring hundreds is a very positive sign for Team India before the WC. India will now play the next game against Sri Lanka on September 12 at the same venue.
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