Fresh revelations have emerged from the ICC World Cup 2023 Final between India and Australia, shedding light on tense moments involving then-head coach Rahul Dravid, star batter Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. What was once seen purely as Australia’s day of brilliance now appears to have been marred by internal friction, with Rahul emerging as the unexpected villain in the eyes of many fans.
The final at Ahmedabad’s packed Narendra Modi Stadium began brightly for India. Captain Rohit Sharma blazed his way to a rapid 47 off just 31 balls, giving India early momentum after being invited to bat first. But once Rohit fell, the innings lost steam, and Australia tightened the screws.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul then took on the task of rebuilding. They stitched together a steady stand — Kohli scoring 54 and Rahul top-scoring with 66 — but their partnership between overs 10 and 38 saw only two boundaries scored. That prolonged slowdown proved costly, with India eventually bowled out for just 240 in the final over.
ALSO READ: Dilip Vengsarkar Slams Oval Pitch Curator, Says Aussies Would’ve Taught Him A Lesson
Even then, hope flickered when Australia’s chase stumbled to 47 for three inside seven overs. But Travis Head’s scintillating 137 and Marnus Labuschagne’s composed 58* forged a match-defining 192-run partnership. By the time Glenn Maxwell struck the winning runs, Australia had claimed the trophy with a six-wicket win and 42 balls to spare, silencing the home crowd.
Two years later, a Revsportz journalist has claimed that both KL Rahul and Virat Kohli must share the blame for India’s downfall. According to his report, midway through the innings, Dravid sent a message via a dressing-room player, urging the pair to increase the scoring rate. The words — “We are a little slow. We should be a little faster,” reportedly irritated both batters.
— R✨ (@264__ro) August 11, 2025
Kohli’s alleged response was blunt: “Don’t tell us how to play. We know what we’re doing.” The message found its way back to Dravid and the support staff, creating a silent undercurrent of tension.
While both batted at a similar pace, it was KL Rahul who bore the heaviest criticism post-match. Social media exploded with accusations that he had played too conservatively, making the required total unreachable. Kohli, despite also operating at a modest strike rate, largely escaped the wrath of fans.
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya’s Fitness Test to Decide Asia Cup 2025 Participation
The loss left Rahul introspective. Stung by the backlash, he reportedly vowed to address the shortcomings in his game — a determination that would shape his approach in the months to come.
