KL Rahul‘s poor form with the bat was a major concern for the Indian team heading into the clash against Bangladesh. The star batter had only scored 22 runs in the previous three matches against Pakistan, Netherlands, and South Africa. However, that completely changed against the Bangla Tigers.
Rahul looked supremely confident as he walked in to open the batting along with Rohit Sharma in the first innings of the match. While the team captain perished quickly, Rahul got going with some quick runs. For the first time in this tournament, he scored in two digits. He went on to score a half-century, giving the Men in Blue a head start.
KL Rahul reached his half-century in 31 balls in the 10th over of the game. He hit three boundaries and four sixes in his innings. The first six of the innings, which came off Rahul’s bat, was the best of the innings. He flicked a full-length delivery in the fine-leg region to get six runs.
However, after completing his half-century, the 30-year-old was dismissed immediately. In the tenth over, Shakib Al Hasan got his wicket. Rahul wanted to lap the ball delivered on his pads, but he ended up top-edging it. Mustafizur Rahman, stationed at short fine leg, took the catch comfortably.
In the meantime, many experts of the game wanted Rahul to perform well before the match. Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has also expressed his thoughts on the matter. Rahul needs to get some runs under his belt, and he can’t keep putting pressure on the middle order, said Shastri before the match.
“You need some more consistency from the top. KL Rahul getting some runs will help because you can’t keep putting the pressure on the middle order,” said Ravi Shastri on the Apex Cricket Board’s ‘The Big Time Preview’.
Twitter was abuzz with KL Rahul’s performance in the match against Bangladesh.
Here is how Twitter reacted to KL Rahul’s half-century
Well played @klrahul ! When the world is putting pressure on you it’s not easy , but you did it ! Hope things get better and better from here on ! #INDvsBAN
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) November 2, 2022
Haters just shut up your mouths and watch #KLRahul?
Fifty from 31 balls #KLRahul #INDvsBAN @klrahul pic.twitter.com/hhPSi9MqPq— Bala bhai (@CaptainKLRahul) November 2, 2022
KL Rahul making it count today. ?@debasissen? good click. pic.twitter.com/y2u8HkFs6I
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 2, 2022
"Shut down the outside noise" @klrahul pic.twitter.com/QBqym56GbM
— Sohan Chakinarapu (@SohanSCH) November 2, 2022
Yesterday Virat kohli had a chat with KL rahul and today his form is back
A true leader @imVkohli ? pic.twitter.com/eoKUN0KSoM— M. (@IconicKohIi) November 2, 2022
Fifty by KL Rahul in 31 balls – a brilliant show put on by KL. Under pressure of delivering, he played a tremendous knock. pic.twitter.com/ClJYRbUn3Y
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 2, 2022
Expression from Virat Kohli says it all, Well played, KL Rahul. pic.twitter.com/KCUXnkEV0W
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 2, 2022
Fifty for KL Rahul, first in this World Cup, truly a magnificent knock.
Welcome back, KL.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 2, 2022
50 and out next ball for KL Rahul
Shakib breaks the dangerous stand #INDvBAN https://t.co/oU3rDvWfl3
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 2, 2022
Yes, this is the REAL KL Rahul ??
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) November 2, 2022
