KL Rahul, Virat Kohli star against Australia in one of India's most memorable World Cup wins

Virat Kohli’s 85 and a 97* from KL Rahul were the star acts in what transpired to be one of India’s greatest ever ODI wins as the Men in Blue rode on the duo’s brilliance to chase down a 200-run target on a tricky Chennai pitch against Australia in both the teams’ World Cup 2023 opener.

India were staring down the barrel at 2/3 at the end of the second over in their chase of 200, and it took a herculean 165-run partnership between Kohli and Rahul to play a defining role in the Indian team eventually getting over the line.

Earlier, Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat, but the visitors were rocked early with Mitchell Marsh removed for a six-ball duck by Jasprit Bumrah. David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46) put on a 69-run partnership to steady the Australian innings, before Kuldeep Yadav struck, taking a good return catch to send the southpaw on his way. 

Marnus Labuschagne walked in to join Smith in the middle and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking, only for Ravindra Jadeja to produce a beauty that turned just enough to beat the latter’s defence. A little over two overs later, Labuschange (27) was sent packing after he nicked a regulation off-break from Jadeja, and before Australia figured out what hit them, they were reduced to 140/7 in the 37th over, with Alex Carey (0), Glenn Maxwell (15) and Cameron Green (8) failing to put up a strong fight to India’s spin trio.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins (15) and Mitchell Starc (28) added some crucial runs to the total, but it wasn’t enough to take them over the 200-run mark as they were skittled out for 199 from 49.3 overs. Jadeja was the pick of the lot for India with 3/28 from his 10 overs, with every other Indian bowler contributing with at least one wicket.

India were pushed into a corner early in the chase as the openers Rohit Sharma (0) and Ishan Kishan (0) departed in quick succession, and they were followed by Shreyas Iyer (0). 

At 2/3 on a surface that was producing demons, the onus was on Kohli and Rahul to deliver, and the Indian team senior pros did it in style. While Rahul didn’t offer Australia a single chance, Kohli was dropped on 12 by Mitchell Marsh, and the former India captain made the most of the opportunity. 

In an innings defined by the perfect mix of caution and aggression, Kohli brought up his fifty off 75 balls and in the process took India’s total to 100/3, with the Men in Blue needing another 100 runs off 147 balls. 

With every run scored, the Indian fans at the Chepauk found their voice, just as the Australian team continued to lose hope of pocketing a win. Kohli, though, missed out on a well-deserved century as he smashed a ball straight to Labuschagne at mid-wicket and departed for a 116-ball 85, putting to an end a magnificent 165-run partnership.

However, that did little to deter India’s push for a win as Rahul and Hardik Pandya (8-ball 11*) ensured there were no other stumbles, with the former smashing a six off Cummins to seal the win.

Rahul, who finished on 97 off 115 balls with eight fours and two sixes was named as the Player of the Match.