How KL Rahul Built Pressure On Virat Kohli In World Cup Final, Pakistan Star Explains

22.11.2023 - 04:41 sports.ndtv.com

KL Rahul top-scored for the Indian cricket team in the final of the Cricket World Cup against Australia. However, his 66 runs came off 107 deliveries and consisted of one four.

The slow nature of the innings came under question though the counter-point to that is the fact that there were regular dismissals at the other end.

So, KL Rahul's innings has been a topic of discussion since the time India lost the final to Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Former Pakistan cricket team pacer Mohammad Amir has said that KL Rahul's innings put pressure on Virat Kohli, the only other half-centurion for India against Australia in the final.

cricket Australia Cricket Team India Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup on Glenn Maxwell Virat Kohli Mohammad Amir Rohit Sharma Kl Rahul Australia India Pakistan

It has been more than a week of India's Cricket World Cup 2023 final loss to Australia but the fans of the Rohit Sharma-led side will be needing a long time to recover from the pain. An unbeaten India entered the final of the tournament by winning 10 consecutive matches. Any team could hardly challenge the side in the league phase but the final turned out to be a heartbreaking affair for the Indian fans as Pat Cummins-led Australia defeated the side by 6 wickets to clinch a record-extending sixth ODI World Cup title.

KL Rahul Did Not Bat With "Do-Or-Die" Mindset: Wasim Akram On Star's Cricket World Cup Final Show

KL Rahul didn't play with a "do-or-die" mindset as he didn't want to expose India's tail-enders, which is probably one of the biggest reasons for host country's World Cup final defeat, feels Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. Batting first, India posted a modest total of 240 in 50 overs and Rahul scored a painstaking 66 off 107 balls with a solitary boundary to his credit. "If I have to pick any particular reason, I suppose the middle order should have played with a ‘do or die' mindset," he told Star Sports.

"Overconfidence Bhi Zyada...": Shahid Afridi On India's World Cup Final Loss To Australia

Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi slammed Team India following their ODI World Cup 2023 loss against Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Speaking live on a Pakistan-based TV channel, Samaa TV, Afridi said that overconfidence led to Rohit Sharma's side's downfall in the tournament. He also said that after winning 10 matches in the tournament, overconfidence was too much in the team.

Watch: Glenn Maxwell's Throw Hits Virat Kohli In World Cup Final. Here's What Happened Next

A funny reaction of Virat Kohli from Cricket World Cup 2023 final match is going viral on social media. The Indian star was in the crease when a throw from Maxwell almost hit Kohli on latter's head. The batter showed good reflexes to bring his right hand in the line the ball in time while bending down to save himself. In the follow-up, Maxwell was spotted saying something to Kohli with a smile on his face and the latter brushed shoulders with his Australian opponent in a funny exchange.

"India Were Getting Into Me...": Australia Star On Virat Kohli And Co.'s Sledging In Cricket World Cup Final

In Australia's Cricket World Cup 2023 final win against the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team, there were several protagonists. There were the bowlers led by Mitchell Starc, who restricted India to just 240 and then there was Travis Head, who scored 137 off 120 balls to ensure that India cross the mark in just 43 overs. Marnus Labuschagne was also a standout performer, though his performance was not as flashy as others. He scored 58* off 110 balls and blunted out the famed Indian bowling attack. He stayed on till the end, with taking any unnecessary risks, to take Australia over the line.

"Was Not Trusting Other Batters": Pakistan Great Slams KL Rahul After India's Loss In World Cup Final

Former Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq hit out at Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul following his 66-run knock against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final match on Sunday. While speaking on a Pakistani-based channel, A Sports, Misbah said that Rahul did not trust the other batters in the first inning of the game. He further added that the 31-year-old was thinking of reaching the 250-run mark for his team and it got difficult. However, the former cricketer also praised the Indian right-handed batter and said that he played very well against spin bowling.