KL Rahul reveals key information he missed when Washington Sundar came out to bat: 'I didn't know...'

KL Rahul batted with composure to steer India to a tricky 301-run target against New Zealand in the opening ODI of the series. Rahul bid his time till the last three balls of the penultimate when he decided to hit a couple of fours and then a maximum to finish the match in style and help India take lead in the three-match series.

However, things were not as easy when Rahul was batting as Kiwi bowlers continued to pile up pressure. Harshit Rana, a bowler India are grooming to be an all-rounder, got a promotion to number seven due to Washington Sundar’s injury which the all-rounder suffered during India’s bowlig. Rana hit a few blows to make the equation easier.

When Rana got out, India needed just 22 runs from 22 balls. It would have been an easy chase from there on with Sundar joining Rahul at the crease despite his injury. However, Rahul was unaware of the extent of Sundar’s injury and that could have complicated things.

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Rahul didn’t know Sundar couldn’t run

Sundar hit the first ball he faced with authority over mid-off. The ball would not reach the boundary but there was an easy double for the taking. Rahul started with full vigour to take at least two but then saw Sundar struggling. It is then when he realised the key detail that would make the game further tricky. Sundar couldn’t run!

Rahul revealed at the post match presentation ceremony that he had no idea that Sundar could not run.

“I didn’t know Washi couldn’t run," Rahul said right after the match. “I knew he had a bit of an injury in the first innings, but I wasn’t aware of the extent.”

Both batters nudged the ball into deep pockets and settled for slow walks across the pitch as Sundar could not run hard. Despite that, the duo exchanged strikes consistently and then Rahul finished things off in style to continue on his brilliant ODI form.

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Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill informed after the match that Sundar will be going for scans where the extent of his injury will be known.