The Indian team started the three-match ODI series against Australia on a flying note as the Men in Blue continued to maintain their unbeaten streak in ODIs in 2023. While at one point early in the Indian innings, India was in a spot of bother as they lost their first four wickets within a paltry score of 39, it was KL Rahul who helped the team come out of the pit with his magnificent knock of 75.
KL Rahul had come out to bat when India was reeling at 16/3 within the first five overs. He then got involved with Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya in two brief partnerships of 23 and 44 runs, respectively. As India lost their 5th wicket in the form of Hardik Pandya, it all came down to the last recognized batting pair of Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja to help India get over the line and maintain their unbeaten streak in ODIs in 2023.
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Rahul led the chase against Australia with Jadeja playing the role of his trusted lieutenant as the duo pulled off an unbeaten partnership of 108 runs in 20.3 overs to finally take India home. Rahul remained unbeaten at a score of 75 whereas Jadeja scored 45* to assist Rahul in the mission.
In recent times, Kl Rahul has often been criticized by the pundits for his poor performances. One such former cricketer who had strongly condemned Rahul’s performance, Venkatesh Prasad gave Rahul his dues by congratulating him for his fabulous knock and praising him for his superb knock played under pressure.
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
Earlier, in the first innings, the Indian pacer-duo of Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj shared six wickets among themselves. Mohammad Shami took care of the proceedings in the middle overs as he dismissed Jos Inglis, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stoinis in quick successions to handicap Australia’s batting unit.
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Ravindra Jadeja contributed with the ball as well, picking up two crucial wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh who had plans of spoiling India’s party. Marsh played one of his finest ODI innings in the face of dominance by Indian bowlers, to help Australia put up a respectable total. India will play the remaining two ODIs of the ongoing series against Australia on March 19 and 22 in Vishakhapatnam and Chennai, respectively.
