Virat Kohli and KL Rahul shared their candid insights on their unusual start and successful match-winning partnership against Australia in a chat session organized by BCCI.
In a remarkable turnaround during India’s World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai on Sunday, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul orchestrated an extraordinary recovery after three early dismissals left them with just two runs on the board. Kohli’s 85 and Rahul’s unbeaten 97* powered India to a convincing six-wicket victory, successfully chasing down the 200-run target.
The former Indian skipper, Kohli, and Rahul engaged in a relaxed conversation, with the video shared by BCCI on their official social media handle.
They both got #TeamIndia the first win of #CWC23 💪
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 9, 2023
As the bandwagon moves to Delhi, here's @imVkohli & @klrahul dissecting their match-winning partnership against Australia 👌
P.S. The local lad is bracing himself for his homecoming 🏟️
Watch the full interview 🎥 👇… pic.twitter.com/HSXYovY43T
Kohli, initially becoming the interviewer, asked about Rahul’s match-winning performance. He asked about Rahul’s physical state, to which Rahul responded with a concise “Tired.”
Rahul went on to share details of their on-field conversation, highlighting how they conserved energy with the goal of staying at the crease until the end.
“The only chat after 50-70 runs of partnership was to conserve the energy, to not take the twos, but once the ball hits the gap the instincts take over and you end up running. It was a tough day. Glad that we could get our journey in the World Cup with a win,” Rahul said.
Kohli, evidently displeased with India’s initial performance characterized the beginning as “bizarre.” He then inquired Rahul about his mindset while stepping into bat, noting the less-than-ideal situation and the hurried preparations.
“You do have a couple of quick wickets sometimes, if the ball is doing something but not like that, it still takes 4-5 overs and not 1.5 overs. I just came and sat. I had a shower and just sat and then Ishan got out. I had to rush back to get taped, started wearing my pads, and then Rohit got out. Then I thought I will get at least two overs because Shreyas will bat a little bit, but he got out in the first or the second ball, I don’t even know because I started rushing out,” the wicketkeeper-batter answered.
Rahul turned the conversation towards Kohli’s upcoming return to Delhi for India’s next World Cup match against Afghanistan, highlighting the significance of Kohli’s connection to the city where he grew up.
“For me, that is the stadium where I grew up playing age-group Ranji cricket. You can feel it because that is where everything started, selectors saw you for the first time and gave you an opportunity. It is special to go back and play at Arun Jaitley Stadium,” Kohli said.
“It’s a bit awkward for me, playing in front of the pavilion named after me. Honestly, I don’t like to talk about it a lot because it is a very awkward feeling but I just feel very grateful when I go back and see all the things that are present now and from where I started,” he added.
India’s ODI World Cup 2023 journey progresses as they prepare to face Afghanistan at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 11. Fresh off a convincing win against Australia, India aims to maintain their momentum and secure a second tournament victory.
Last Updated on October 10, 2023
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