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Cricket News: List of excellent innings by KL Rahul in ODIs in 2023 | KL Rahul has scored important runs for India in ODIs in 2023
KL Rahul is a player that divides opinion. His approach in T20 cricket at times often comes under the microscope. However, there can be no complaints regarding his output in ODI cricket, as he adds that all-important quality and reliability in the Indian batting lineup.
Back in 2019, there were concerns about India’s middle order. Their inability to nail down important positions leading into the World Cup came back to haunt them, with the early loss of their top three proving crucial in the semi-final defeat against New Zealand.
Now, Rahul has made the number five position his own. In 19 ODIs batting at five, Rahul has struck 781 runs at an average of 52.06 and strike rate of 98.73. This includes eight 50+ scores.
Should he deliver similar numbers in the upcoming World Cup, India will be even harder to beat. However, what is impressive about Rahul’s numbers is the context. This year alone, he has been able to either recover situations with the team in a bit of bother or accelerate when the team is well-placed.
KL Rahul in ODIs in 2023: India’s middle order linchpin
Overall this year, Rahul has struck 505 runs at an average of 72.14 and strike rate of 86.91. Here are some of his noteworthy knocks so far in 2023. Hard work and fluency have been on show in equal measure, depending on the match situation.
64* (103) vs Sri Lanka, Eden Gardens, January 2023
On an Eden Gardens surface offering assistance, Sri Lanka’s bowlers reduced India to 86/4 chasing 216 in the second ODI of their three-match series in January. Rahul combined with Hardik Pandya for a crucial 75-run stand for the fifth wicket, before pushing on to finish unbeaten on 64.
Rahul scored six fours in his 103-stay. His defence and ability to rotate strike square of the wicket defined his innings in a chase that could have went really pear-shaped for India if their middle order wasn’t up to scratch.
75* (91) vs Australia, Wankhede, March 2023
Soon after, KL Rahul was unbeaten again in a successful chase. India’s bowlers were excellent in dismantling Australia for 188. However, they fell to 16/3 and then 39/4, and the total looked a fair way away.
Rahul, who walked in to a hat-trick ball against the fired up Mitchell Starc, finished not out with a classy 75. Apart from an edge through the slips on 41, he looked largely untroubled even as Australia’s seamers plugged away early. He bode his time and paced the innings beautifully.
Rahul combined with Hardik Pandya for a 44-run stand and then had an unbroken 108-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to see India home.
111* (106) vs Pakistan, Colombo, September 2023
After a strong opening partnership in their 2023 Asia Cup Super Four clash against Pakistan, India then lost two very quick wickets. However, KL Rahul, in his first game after months out with injury, combined with Virat Kohli for a mammoth, unbroken 233-run stand to take India to 356/2.
Rahul’s innings was promising in more ways than one. He eased into his innings early to consolidate after two wickets fell in quick succession. Then, he went on to score 62 off his final 47 balls to accelerate nicely alongside Kohli as India put the Pakistan attack to the sword.
“When I walked in, there was that nervousness,” Rahul said after the match. “It took me 10-15 minutes to just calm myself down and get my feet moving, get my mind thinking about the right things. When I hit one or two boundaries, the fogginess went away.”
39 (44) vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, September 2023
India prevailed by 41 runs on a challenging pitch against Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asia Cup. In India’s score of 213, only Rohit Sharma (53 off 48 balls) had a better strike rate than Rahul’s 88.63. Coming in at a tricky position of 91/3, Rahul hit just two boundaries in his 44-ball stay but ensured he kept things ticking against Sri Lanka’s spinners.
58* (63) vs Australia, Mohali, September 2023
Another successful run chase, another not out for KL Rahul. This time, Rahul enjoyed some early luck with Zampa dropping a sitter off his own bowling. However, from there, Rahul was assured as ever after Australia had a sniff of a comeback following three quick Indian wickets at around the halfway mark in the chase of 281.
Once again, Rahul’s strike rotation was a key feature. He had five boundary scoring shots in his 63-ball stay, but still finished with a strike rate of 92.06.
If India get that kind of efficiency from their number five in the upcoming World Cup, they will be well-placed to end their ten-year ICC trophy drought.
