KL Rahul played a blistering knock of 57 runs off 33 balls to kick off his campaign in the T20 World Cup in the warm-up game against hosts Australia on Monday at The Gabba, Brisbane.
KL Rahul, who had spent a couple of months on the sidelines after the IPL 2022 due to injury and consequent surgery, has gradually being getting back to his best in the Asia Cup followed by T20Is against Australia and South Africa at home.
In the warm-up game in Brisbane, KL Rahul showcased his elite range and, importantly, his attacking mindset that fans had been demanding from the opener for a while. KL Rahul walloped 6 fours and 3 sixes and brought up his half-century in 27 balls, eventually finishing with a terrific strike rate of 172.
KL Rahul blasts a 27-ball fifty to announce his form and intent
Such was a one-sided dominance by KL Rahul in the first quarter of India’s innings that after 5 overs, India’s score was 56/0 with 49 of those coming from KL Rahul’s bat in 25 balls, and his opening partner, skipper Rohit Sharma, had only scored 1 run in 5 balls.
In the first two overs, off Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson, KL Rahul leaned into two gorgeous drives for his first two boundaries.
Then began the carnage: Pat Cummins was disdainfully pulled over backward square leg for a six followed by another pull four; KL Rahul tore into Marcus Stoinis, slamming the medium pacer for three fours and a six in one over. Cummins was once again sent over the leg-side boundary, with a delectable pick-up whip shot.
Netizens were left stunned by KL Rahul’s incredible shot-making, and moreover, happy with the opener showing great intent with his aggressive game from the outset of the innings.
Here are some of the reactions of fans on Twitter to KL Rahul’s jaw-dropping assault:
KL Rahul, with this intent, is the best T20 batter in India by a mile#T20WorldCup #INDvAUS
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 17, 2022
Goodness me… looks like somebody is back! 😳
— Sparsh Telang (@_cricketsparsh) October 17, 2022
Chuckling at the fact that KL saab is playing fearlessly and showcasing his full potential in the warm-up.
— Manya (@CSKian716) October 17, 2022
KL Rahul knew this time the practice game is being telecasted.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 17, 2022
This is what we want to see in the World Cup too, @/klrahul.
— Sparsh Telang (@_cricketsparsh) October 17, 2022
27 ball fifty for KL Rahul in the warm-up match against Australia, What a knock, KL. pic.twitter.com/c1NXOjCY17
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 17, 2022
KL Rahul show in Brisbane – fifty in just 27 balls with team score just 56. He’s been on strike for majority of the innings, sensational stuff by KL. pic.twitter.com/2kr2XSP13q
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 17, 2022
Retire @klrahul after his 50. Save his runs for the tournament. 🙌🏾
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 17, 2022
This is unusual.
KL Rahul races to 43, while opening partner Rohit Sharma is yet to score…#T20WorldCup #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ia2GbDvYkU
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) October 17, 2022
KL Rahul batting like his IPL 2018 version. Hope he bats like this in the main tournament as well.#T20WorldCup | #INDvAUS
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) October 17, 2022
KL Rahul 🔥🔥🔥 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/7zDe2NClQI
— CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) October 17, 2022
Some stunning shots being played by KL Rahul. 50 off 27 and another big step towards peak form
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) October 17, 2022
That was a DOMINATING knock from #KLRahul ! He just enjoyed the pitch. Beautiful stokes. Lovely to see 👏👏. #INDvAUS
— RK (@RK_sports) October 17, 2022
Aaron Finch had won the toss and elected to bowl first in this warm-up fixture:
Teams:
India (11 batting, 11 fielding): Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik(w), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda
Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson
