India vs Australia: 'Top knock', KL Rahul earns plaudits from Twitterati after unbeaten 75 in first ODI

Mohammed Shami’s bowling figures of 3-17 and an unbeaten 75 by KL Rahul helped India beat Australia by five wickets in the first one-day international on Friday. Australia were bowled out for 188 in 35.4 overs after a dramatic collapse following opener Mitchell Marsh’s 65-ball 81 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In a tricky chase, India were in trouble at 39-4 before Rahul stayed calm and put on key partnerships including an unbeaten 108-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who made 45, to achieve victory in 39.5 overs. The hosts lead the three-match series 1-0 with the two teams warming up for the 50-over World Cup later this year in India. Bowlers ruled in the ODI opener with Shami and Mohammed Siraj taking three wickets each to make Australia slide from a strong 129-2 after being invited to bat first. In their reply, India, too, got off to a weak start after being restricted to 39/4 in the 11th over. Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill failed to get big scores, but KL Rahul saved India’s day with a vital partnership with Ravindra Jadeja that helped India win with 61 balls to spare. Rahul’s heroics earned him plaudits on Twitter. Here are some reactions:

Excellent composure under pressure and a brilliant innings by KL Rahul.
Top knock. Great support by Ravindra Jadeja and a good win for India.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/tCs74rBiLP

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) March 17, 2023

Any bhala toh sab bhala.
Great all round show by Jaddu and top knock from KL Rahul. #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/npoS1E1zaS

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 17, 2023

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A very impressive win from Team India. The bowlers were brilliant to get Australia all out for 188 after they were 129/2 before the 20 overs# and in the run chase KL Rahul’s composure under pressure was the key and that partnership with Jadeja was spectacular. #IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/8K4pKKrnZy

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 17, 2023

Great teams are built on trust. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid showed faith, KL Rahul proves they were not wrong. ⁦@klrahul⁩ pic.twitter.com/Zpv25lOPSr

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 17, 2023

Superb game awareness and composure from these two under pressure. Well played @klrahul & @imjadeja 👏🏽👏🏽 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/JbglgYacsb

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 17, 2023

7⃣5⃣* Runs
9⃣1⃣ Balls
7⃣ Fours
1⃣ Six

That was one brilliant knock in the chase from @klrahul 👌 👌 #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS

Watch 🎥 🔽https://t.co/ii33uhbPv1

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 17, 2023

A fifty to remember by KL Rahul - under pressure he played a great knock. pic.twitter.com/osMp6RAELe

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 17, 2023

He has had a turbulent time of late but batting at no 5 in odi cricket is KL Rahul's sweet spot. The numbers say that too but I believe in this current phase, where he needs a little space, that is right for him.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 17, 2023

Fifty for KL Rahul, he is a run machine at number 5 in ODI, stands tall when India is under pressure.

Leading run chase at Wankhede. pic.twitter.com/nI6j8VLtLw

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 17, 2023

Ironically, KL Rahul has been consistent in the only format he was ill -treated and often chopped and changed #DoddaMathu #CricketTwitter #INDvAUS

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) March 17, 2023

With inputs from AFP