No qualms on not getting to that hundred – KL Rahul

India registered a superb victory against Australia in both the teams’ first match of the World Cup and it came in a surprising manner after the top-order of Indian batting crash-landed on an iffy surface against the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Bowling first, the Indian bowlers did a phenomenal job of keeping Australia well within check as the latter were skittled out for 199. Chasing 200, India lost Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer even before they got their wheels on the ground. Virat Kohli had a slightly edgy start as well when Mitchell Marsh dropped him early on.

However, after that lifeline, Virat was joined by KL Rahul in the center and the duo crafted a sensational partnership, helping India get across the finish line. Despite the fall of Kohli’s wicket just a few runs away from the target, Rahul ensured he stayed unbeaten for a fantastic 97.

Talking at the post-match presentation after being awarded the Player of the Match, Rahul talked at length about his exact mindset when he arrived in the center. The stylish right-hander also shed some light on that awe-evoking applause at the end, when he smashed a maximum to finish things off at MA Chidambaram Stadium.

KL said, “Quite honestly not a lot of conversation, I thought I’d get a good shower and get a break. I was just trying to get my breath back. Virat said there’s a bit in the wicket, so play like Test cricket for a while. There was a bit of help for the pacers with the new ball, and then the spinners also. In the last 15-20 overs, dew played a part and that helped quite a bit.”

Shedding some light on the surface, Rahul added, “The ball also skidded on better. However, it was a bit two-paced, it wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on and it wasn’t flat as well. It was a good cricket wicket, bit for the batters and the bowlers. That’s what you get in the south of India, especially Chennai.”

He concluded by talking about the final six which saw him miss out on the century, stating, “I hit it too well, I just calculated how to get to a 100 in the end. The only way was a four and a six, but no qualms on not getting to that hundred.”