CWC '23: 'He looks to be in different league' - Akhtar lauds Rahul for classy 97* in India's win vs Australia
CWC '23: Shoaib Akhtar lauds KL Rahul for classy 97* vs Australia
India defeated Australia by six wickets in match 5 of the CWC 2023 edition on Sunday (October 8) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This was the opening game for both sidesin the marquee event, which kicked off on October 5 in Ahmedabad. Winning the toss, Pat Cummins-led Australia opted to bat and were well-placed at 110 for 2 before being reduced to 119 for 5 to be eventually bundled out for 199 in 49.3 overs. Ravindra Jadeja (3 for 28), Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 42) and Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 35) led the charge with the ball before Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97 not out) constructed a partnership to take India home.
Kohli and Rahul joined forces with India struggling at 2 for 3 before the duo added an impressive 165-run fourth-wicket stand to take India out of troubled waters and steer them to an easy win, with 52 balls remaining. After the clash, Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar lauded Rahul for his chanceless knock and hailed his fitness for keeping wickets and swift running between the wickets along with Kohli.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Akhtar said, "The way KL Rahul asserted his authority, he looks to be in a different league. Virat Kohli played a great innings but he could not play a chanceless innings. When KL Rahul was batting, he did not give any chance throughout his innings."
'People laud Virat Kohli for his fitness and his running between the wickets, but KL Rahul...'
Akhtar further opined, "Rahul hit shots when it was needed, and soaked in pressure with the situation of the game was tough. Virat Kohli's dropped catch was the turning point yes, but KL Rahul giving stability was crucial. You play him at any number - in the middle order, and opening, he does well. Don't forget that he kept wickets as well just before this for 50 overs."
)
Pentagon revives mandatory testosterone testing for male troops aged 30 and above
)
FACT CHECK: Why did PM Modi ask Xi ‘is it okay’ at BRICS Summit? New video reveals...
)
India seeks to build a full semiconductor supply chain
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Abhishek Sharma to Sahil Chauhan, 5 batters with fastest T20I hundreds
)
Pyongyang dismisses US, western pressure over nuclear programme
)
US And Denmark reach Greenland deal, Trump announces expanded military presence
)
Google’s Gemini AI hacks real systems by guessing passwords during security test
)
US hiding troop deaths in Iran war? Toll higher than Pentagon count, claims report
)
China may have gained access to US's classified F-35 jets; parts meant for repairs diverted to Hong Kong, sparking Pentagon inquiry
)
NASA research plane reaches 61,000 feet over Panama
)
Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton gives US lawmakers a one-year warning on AI
)
Trump signs Russia sanctions law: India faces fresh 100% tariff threat over Russian oil
)
Brigitte Bardot’s private collection set for Paris auction; key items and prices revealed
)
Why Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar missed India’s Oscar entry; FFI jury member reveals what happened
)
Zendaya and Tom Holland step out for a low-key date in Los Angeles
)
‘Will go to any extent’: Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
)
The Verdict | When precision fails: US commits war crime in Minab school strike, UN finds
)
Trump signs Russia sanctions bill into law, targets Moscow’s energy sector
66 years of the Indus Waters Treaty: How India and Pakistan settled a bitter river dispute
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (September 18, 2026): Lust Stories 3, You+Me, Best of the Best- 8 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Pak: A series of counter terrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
)
Fast bowler Brydon Carse faces no charges over Derby nightclub incident
)
Flying cars in UAE: Ras Al Khaimah signs deal with Chinese company to test new transport
)
Africa is splitting, and a lot sooner than estimated, giving way to a new ocean
)
Trump bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House over ‘FAKE NEWS’
)
Trump 2.0: Dark days ahead for America’s ‘imperial presidency’
)
Trump's Greenland dream comes true? POTUS announces 'Infinite Life' deal with Denmark, claims permanent US control
)
Tirupati Laddu ghee adulterated with chemicals, says ED, supplier arrested
)
Who is Khalilur Rahman? All you need to know about 81st UN General Assembly President
)
IIT Bombay student dies by suicide, was caught seeking AI help during exams
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC T20I rankings
)
Indian Cinema bets big on mythology, brings ancient stories to modern audiences
)
Ukraine plans record $109 bn defence spending, nearly two thirds of budget amid Russia war
)
Russia holds first parliamentary elections since the beginning of the Ukraine war
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 Indian batters with fastest T20I centuries
)
He added, "People laud Virat Kohli for his fitness and his running between the wickets, but KL Rahul is running with him too and also after keeping wickets and that needs to be talked about. KL Rahul is a complete player and needs to be backed throughout."
Rahul missed out on a hundred by finishing the match with a sublime six, off Cummins, when he was on 91. Nonetheless, his form bodes well for India who will now take on Afghanistan on Wednesday (October 11) in New Delhi.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.