In India’s opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia on Sunday, October 8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, star Indian hitter KL Rahul excelled with the bat. Rahul played a fantastic innings of 97* (115) while batting at number five, striking eight fours and two sixes. After India struggled at 2/3, he and Virat Kohli (85 off 116) put together a huge 165-run partnership off 212 balls for the fifth wicket.
KL Rahul put the game away with a spectacular lofted extra cover drive against Pat Cummins that cleared the fence and went all the way for a six. Everyone was speechless as a result of the shot’s aesthetic appeal and precise timing as it landed over the ropes. Rahul was sitting on his haunches with his eyes wide open, unable to comprehend what he had just done.
Watch the jaw-dropping shot here:
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Before his final six, Rahul was batting on 91 and India needed five runs to win. The 31-year-old would have been aiming to score a four and a six against Cummins to reach his seventh ODI hundred. But he ultimately played a magnificent lofted extra cover drive for a six, leaving him stuck on 97 and speechless.
KL Rahul has been in excellent shape since making a comeback.
Especially after his return to international cricket at the Asia Cup in 2023, Rahul has been in incredible form. Since making a comeback, he has amassed 402 runs in seven innings at an average of 100.5, a strikeout rate of 92, and 103 fifty-singles.
Australia captain Pat Cummins made the decision to bat first after winning the toss earlier in the game. His batters, who were dismissed for 199 in 49.3 overs after Ravindra Jadeja excelled with the ball with statistics of 3/28 in 10 overs, did not, however, support his choice.
Check out how Ravindra Jadeja knocks out Steve Smith with a spectacular delivery as well.
The next match between India and Afghanistan will take place on Wednesday, October 11, at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. On the other side, on Thursday, October 12 in Lucknow, Australia will play South Africa.