KL Rahul repaid the faith shown by the team management and the selectors by coming up with a sensational hundred against Pakistan in an Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours match in Colombo on Monday, September 11. It was Rahul’s 6th ODI hundred and his first against arch-rivals Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium on the reserve day of the big-ticket contest.
IND v PAK, Asia Cup Super Fours Updates
It was a terrific effort from KL Rahul as he got to his hundred in just 100 balls in his first international match on return from a long injury layoff.
KL Rahul became only the 5th Indian batter to hit a hundred against Pakistan in men’s Asia Cup tournament. He joined an elite list of batters, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma.
Soon after Rahul completed the landmark, Virat Kohli joined him, getting to his hundred in just 84 balls. It was Kohli’s 47th ODI hundred and he also became the fastest to 13,000 ODI runs, breaking a long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar.
KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 111 while Virat Kohli raced to 122 not out as India posted 356 for 2 in 50 overs.
INDIANS WITH HUNDREDS VS PAKISTAN IN ASIA CUP
Virender Sehwag – 2008 – 119
Virat Kohli – 2012 – 183
Shikhar Dhawan – 2018 – 114
Rohit Sharma – 2018 – 111
KL Rahul – 2023 – 100*
KL Rahul proved his naysayers wrong as he was aggressive against the Pakistan bowling attack after resuming his innings on the Reserve Day on 14. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli stitched a 200-plus partnership for the 3rd wicket as both the batters accelerated even as rain threat kept looming after a delayed start to the Reserve Day due to wet weather in Colombo.
It was a classy knock from KL Rahul, who took on the Pakistan pacers and spinners, alike, putting the pressure right back on Babar Azam’s men.
KL Rahul got to his fifty in just 60 balls and pressed on the accelerator after getting to the landmark.
Rahul took on the Pakistan spinners, hitting part-timer Iftikhar and leg-spinner Shadab Khan at will. Rahul ran hard between the wickets, flaunting his improved fitness on return from injury.
Rahul took the onus on himself to accelerate when Kohli was happy to play second fiddle, but both batters stepped on the accelerator in the end overs.
KL Rahul was included in the XI for the Super Fours match on Sunday after Shryeas Iyer picked up a back spasm hours before the toss. And Rahul made full use of the opportunity, proving his readiness to be part of India’s World Cup campaign later this year.
