With Virat Kohli joining Rohit Sharma, one of India’s century-makers at the World Cup, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul will be hoping the others too will join in with triple-digit knocks to help the team maintain its unbeaten run in the league stage. After India captain Rohit scored 131 against Afghanistan in India’s second match in New Delhi, Kohli’s 48th century – 103 not out off 97 balls (6x4s, 4x6s) secured the fourth successive win here on Thursday. The team’s next challenge will be against a formidable New Zealand, who have had the upper hand over India in ICC events in recent times, including the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 WTC final.
“Virat, the less you say, the better about it. He’s been adding to those numbers for years – that’s what he did again. There was a chance at the end, (and) he finished the game for us,” Rahul told the media here after India’s seven-wicket win over Bangladesh. “Turning one hundred is always very special, I am very happy for him. Ro (Rohit Sharma) has a hundred now, Virat (also) has a hundred. Hopefully, as the World Cup progresses, a few more of us can reach these hundreds and keep winning the matches,” said Rahul.
Rahul said India did not have much trouble despite Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan (53) and Litton Das (66) making the most of the powerplay and adding 93 runs.
“We knew it was a good wicket and they got off to a good start. We’ve been in this situation before, not just us, every other team, when the openers got off to a really good start and the new ball came onto the bat really nicely,” he said.
“But once the field opens up, it becomes better for the opposition to control the run rate and that’s what we did. Once we got a few wickets we were able to put pressure on the batsmen again,” he said.
After reaching 90 without loss in 14 overs, Bangladesh lost their momentum completely and made a moderate 256/8, with Indian bowlers proving how difficult it is to score from them.
“It was a good day in the field overall, I did my job pretty well. Everyone else did their job very well. (It was a) good field day for us as a team. I think we made some really good catches, really good outfield (work), so a benchmark in that aspect of the game,” Rahul said.
India have won each of their four matches so far – against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh – in the chase, but Rahul says it won’t make much difference if they have to bat first and set a target.
“I don’t think about it that much, we just want to play one game at a time. Whatever we do, whether we bowl first or bat first, it is important that we do it well and that we don’t think about it too much,” he said.
Jasprit Bumrah once again left a strong mark on a feather bed and Rahul said his teammates were lucky to have the bowling wizard by their side.
“(He’s) super special, really lucky that we have him in our team and lucky that we don’t have to break our bats with his yorkers and face it at the end,” Rahul said.
“We faced him a bit in the IPL. He is a top quality bowler, very happy to have him back, he is fit. He spent a lot of time at the NCA recovering and getting stronger,” he added.
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