India Vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 : KL Rahul’s comeback to international cricket following a six-month hiatus would typically dominate headlines on most occasions. However, when you have Virat Kohli sharing the stage, all eyes naturally gravitate toward the man who can effortlessly become a human highlight reel.
Even as Ishan Kishan cheered KL Rahul from the dugout, a faint realization might have dawned upon him – the wait for his turn might be extended, not just for the Monday match but for future encounters as well, given KL Rahul’s resounding comeback.
- Advertisement -
After witnessing Rahul’s poised and poignant performance against Pakistan at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, it becomes challenging to deny the Karnataka batsman a spot in the World Cup squad or any forthcoming lineup.
Kishan earned a place in the playing XI due to Shreyas Iyer’s absence due to a back spasm. This change might mean that Iyer has to bide his time going forward, but Kishan’s decision to hand over his gloves to Rahul after the seventh over underlines Rahul’s credentials.
In either scenario, India positioned Rahul at No. 4, and he responded by repaying the faith placed in him by the team management with a delightful, unbeaten knock of 111 runs from 106 balls.
On an ordinary day, KL Rahul’s return to international cricket after a six-month hiatus would be the primary talking point. However, when Virat Kohli takes the field, he has the ability to overshadow all else, given his potential to transform into a human highlight reel.
- Advertisement -
Kohli’s innings began on a somewhat scratchy note by his standards, but he’s not known for explosive starts. His hallmark has always been mesmerizing finishes, and that’s precisely what he delivered on a rain-affected reserve day during the Super Four Asia Cup encounter.
A delicate push towards third man had Kohli sprinting as if he hadn’t already completed 36 singles and fifteen twos. This sprint marked his 47th One-Day International century, an awe-inspiring 122 runs off 94 balls. Remarkably, he now stands just two centuries away from equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 tons.
At that moment, Kohli might not have been aware that those two runs earned him entry into the exclusive 13,000-run club in ODIs. He achieved this milestone in his 267th ODI innings, shattering the previous record held by Tendulkar, who took 321 innings to reach the mark.
It’s quintessentially Kohli to redefine the very metrics by which greatness is measured.
Amidst all the comebacks, record-breaking feats, and character-building for Pakistan, India amassed a colossal total of 356 for 2 in 50 overs. In response, Babar Azam’s team struggled, managing only 128 for 8 in 32 overs, largely due to Kuldeep Yadav’s impressive five-wicket haul. Consequently, India secured a resounding 228-run victory after Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf sustained injuries.
While the victory itself was inspiring, the performances of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, one of immediate significance and the other of historical consequence, couldn’t have come at a better time for India. Questions loomed about India’s top five batsmen, and the inclusion of Rahul into the playing XI on the last-minute decision added to the uncertainty.
- Advertisement -
Perhaps the management had considered resting Rahul for another game to ensure his full recovery from a right thigh surgery. However, nearly 24 hours after the game resumed on the reserve day, Rahul’s class garnered unanimous approval from his teammates and physiotherapists alike.
Minutes later, Kohli leaped into the air to celebrate his greatness, only to gracefully return to the ground to acknowledge the crowd. As he walked back to the non-striker’s end, there was a moment when he vigorously shook his head while a smile of disbelief remained on his face. One can only speculate about the meaning behind that powerful yet enigmatic gesture, but it appeared as though Kohli was expressing gratitude to the cricketing gods for blessing him with a gift.
Greatness, as the ‘demi-god’ he aspires to be once said, isn’t solely about god-given talent; it encompasses much more. Whatever that ‘much more’ Tendulkar alluded to, Kohli possesses it without a shadow of a doubt. You don’t need three more centuries from him to establish that fact.
