It’s not often that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of the greatest Indian batsmen of all time, are left stunned by another player’s shot, having seen in all in their careers. But it happened.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both had their jaws dropped when KL Rahul smoked Shadab Khan for a stunning six – too much class, too much oomph, too much seductiveness in that hit – in Colombo on Monday.
The India vs Pakistan Super 4 encounter at the R.Premadasa Stadium resumed on Monday after a 100-minute delayed start to the game that was halted on Sunday after 24.1 overs in India’s innings.
While Virat Kohli, of course, would hog the fans’ attention, KL Rahul, too, was under heavy scanner and attention as he was not only returning from an injury layoff but also had to hit the ground running straightaway with only a few games left for the World Cup 2023.
It was learned yesterday that KL Rahul was indeed not supposed to play in this match as India had picked Ishan Kishan as the keeper and number 5 batsman. But Shreyas Iyer pulled out with a back spasm minutes before the toss and KL Rahul was included in the line-up and slotted at number 4.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill laid a brilliant platform of 121 runs but both fell within a space of two overs, leaving Virat Kohli and KL Rahul to rebuild.
While Virat Kohli took his time and wasn’t at his fluent best, KL Rahul was up and running with breezy strokes and showing a good mix of aggression and caution. When play resumed on Monday, Rahul made his intent clear that he was going to take on the Pakistani bowlers.
He hit a number of stokes to and over the boundary line, one of which stunned everyone, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rahul danced down the track to Shadab Khan and, with a meaty sound off the bat, walloped the ball for a six over mid-wicket.
The reactions of Rohit and Kohli were unmissable. Rohit Sharma had his hand over his head in amazement while Virat Kohli had his jaw hanging after being left astonished by the hit from KL Rahul.
See the reactions of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to KL Rahul’s six to Shadab Khan:
https://twitter.com/rajnishsingh059/status/1701204165035515988?s=20
