New Delhi: KL Rahul played a match-winning knock in the first ODI against Australia, in a game where the Indian top order collapsed in tough swinging conditions. He scored 75* off 91 and turned his critics into admirers while he showed grit and character on the pitch. He was accompanied by Ravindra Jadeja in their 108-run stand in chasing 189.
Both Rahul and Jadeja not only played brilliant knocks against the swing of Mitchell Starc and Marcus Stoinis, but they also took stunning diving catches in the game. Jadeja also contributed with the ball and was declared the Player of the Match for his knock of 45* off 69 and two wickets.
Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, who recently criticised KL Rahul’s inclusion in the playing XI in Tests, took to Twitter to appreciate the batter.
Excellent composure under pressure and a brilliant innings by KL Rahul.
Top knock. Great support by Ravindra Jadeja and a good win for India.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/tCs74rBiLP— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) March 17, 2023
Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik and others also came forward to congratulate KL Rahul and Jadeja for their match-winning efforts in the game.
Any bhala toh sab bhala.
Great all round show by Jaddu and top knock from KL Rahul. #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/npoS1E1zaS— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 17, 2023
What a partnership! ?
First on the field and then with the bat ?@klrahul @imjadeja#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/gpuzDKPQHn— DK (@DineshKarthik) March 17, 2023
A very impressive win from Team India. The bowlers were brilliant to get Australia all out for 188 after they were 129/2 before the 20 overs# and in the run chase KL Rahul’s composure under pressure was the key and that partnership with Jadeja was spectacular. #IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/8K4pKKrnZy
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 17, 2023
Bola tha na bandhe mai hai Dum well done @klrahul good to see you scoring runs and winning the first odi for team India ?? way to go ? Top stuff Jadeja with the ball and bat… well bowled @MdShami11 @mdsirajofficial @imjadeja pic.twitter.com/9ALZWXS997
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 17, 2023
Great teams are built on trust. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid showed faith, KL Rahul proves they were not wrong. @klrahul pic.twitter.com/Zpv25lOPSr
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 17, 2023
Fans, who were trolling Rahul for a poor run, poured in appreciation for the batter to win a match for India when others failed.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.What a comeback from both of them.? #INDvsAUS
Bhakt role Mahadev impact pic.twitter.com/a4lJNaR0T0
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) March 17, 2023
KL rahul’s success feels personal
Guy doesn’t skip tough tours
Always available for any kind of role
Perfect team man @klrahul
❤pic.twitter.com/upRF8XeT9M— M. (@IconicKohIi) March 17, 2023
Sunil anna with all the KL Rahul trollers:#KLRahul pic.twitter.com/VgXBtBM8Sx
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) March 17, 2023
Another Cult chase by KL Rahul.
MR ODIs ?.
Soothing shots. Elegant batting.
That is KLassy KL in range of his own?#KLRahul#BelieveKLRpic.twitter.com/L9SXMsmTMk
— The Upadhyay (@the_upadhyayji) March 18, 2023
35 overs wicketkeeping then 35 overs batting. Huge respect for this man.?
Take a bow, KL Rahul!? #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/HIy7uh1ItI
— Kunal Yadav (@kunaalyaadav) March 17, 2023
From Virat Kohli to KL Rahul, Indian cricket has witnessed numerous instances where the so-called fans of the game went on to troll the player and the cricketers gave an answer with their game.
In the game, Mohammed Siraj once again picked up a wicket with the new ball. As Australia was under pressure, Mitchell Marsh stood up and scored 81 off 65 and it seemed that he was playing on a different turf altogether. However, Mohammed Shami’s second spell got him three quick wickets as he turned the fortunes for India.
Both Siraj and Shami ended up with three wickets each, Ravindra Jadeja picked two while Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav got one each.
Marcus Stoinis got the early breakthrough by dismissing Ishan Kishan. It was followed by Mitchell Starc using his trademark inswinging deliveries to get out Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill. While Hardik Pandya played a counterattacking inning of 25(31), he was dismissed with a bouncer by Stoinis. After 83/5, it was the perseverance of Rahul and Jadeja that got India through.
