The Indian batter KL Rahul made his 6th ODI century in the 3rd match of the Super Fours in the Asia Cup 2023.
KL Rahul Smashes his 6th ODI century
India is scheduled to play their 1st match in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup against Pakistan on September 11, 2023, at R. Premadasa Stadium. The original fixture was scheduled on September 10, but the rain intervened in the match due to which the match resumed on reserve day.
With Pakistan winning the toss, they chose to bowl. Starting their innings, India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had a good start while Shaheen Afridi opened the bowling attack. Rohit Sharma had scored 56 runs on 49 deliveries and was sent out by Shadab Khan.
Shubman Gill scored 58 runs on 52 deliveries, including 10 boundaries, and was sent out by Afridi on the 18th over. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul scored 8 and 17 runs respectively and the match was interrupted by rain India scored 147 runs losing 2 wickets on the first ball of the 25th over.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman shattered Pakistan’s Pace attack for the better innings. The opening partnership passed 100 runs in 14 overs. But Pakistan pacers Shadab Khan and Afridi broke through the partnership and dismissed the openers.
Shubman Gill was impressive as he scored fifty in 37 balls while the skipper Rohit scored 50 in 42 balls. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul partnership have scored 24 runs on 38 deliveries when rain suddenly made an appearance and forced the players to return to the pavilion.
After resuming their innings on the reserve day, both Virat Kohli and KL Rahul made a partnership to help India set a huge target for Pakistan. The young batter has been rested due to a niggle in his injury during the group-stage matches of the continental event. He is the only Indian player to score a Hundred in ODI debut.
The inclusion of injured KL Rahul in the Asia Cup squad has created many questions about his performance, but he shattered all the doubts and proved his fitness by scoring a century in his first appearance after his injury.
Virat Kohli also scored a century in the match. Virat Kohli had a unbeaten 122 runs on 94 deliveries including 9 boundaries and 3 sixes. The other batter KL Rahul has scored an unbeaten 111 runs on 106 deliveries including 12 boundaries and 2 sixes. Their 233* partnership score is India’s highest Partnership in Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s bowling attack has been considered the most feared in the Asia Cup, but India has taken them to the cleaners. By the end, India set a huge target of 357 against Pakistan.
After the completion of this match, India will be facing Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the Super Fours on September 12 at R. Premadasa Stadium.
