India and Pakistan were facing off in their Super 4s encounter in Asia Cup 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. A match which was highly secured for the reserve day on September 11 due to the rain interruptions.
After winning the toss, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam elected to field first. The Men in Green kept with the same team as in the previous match, while India made two important changes: Jasprit Bumrah came in for Mohammad Shami, and owing to Shreyas Iyer’s back spasms, KL Rahul took his position in the Indian side.
India made a good start with their opening combination, skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, with Gill gaining the lead in scores. During the initial powerplay, they picked up 61 runs and eventually added 121 runs for the first wicket partnership. However, the momentum swung when both Rohit (56) and Shubman (58) fell in rapid succession, and Pakistan managed to tighten their grip on the game. At 147/2 in 24.1 overs, rain interfered, halting the match.
Due to a soggy outfield, the game was rescheduled to the reserve day. When play restarted, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul picked up precisely where they had left off. India acquired an edge when Haris Rauf sustained an injury, keeping him out from bowling further in the contest. Consequently, Pakistan had to rely on part-time bowlers, and both Kohli and Rahul thrived on this predicament. Rahul, in particular, played aggressively, hitting his fifty in 60 balls and then pushing up his innings.
Rahul’s scorching performance contained 10 fours and 2 sixes as he chalked up his 6th ODI century in just 100 balls, marking a miraculous recovery from injury and surgery. His performance received accolades from all quarters, as he appeared fully at ease despite the demanding conditions in Colombo, where runs flowed readily from his bat.
Here is how fans reacted to KL Rahul making his 6th hundred on his comeback against Pakistan:
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