'Good To Have KL Rahul Back': India Bowling Coach Paras Mhambrey After Win vs Australia

Architect of India's six-wicket win over Australia, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has a solid all-round game and provides stability in the middle-order, said bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Rahul scored an unbeaten 97 to steer India to a fine victory in their World Cup opener on Sunday. Chasing 200, Rahul, batting at number five, arrived at the crease in the third over with Australia striking in the opening two overs to leave India reeling at two for three. Rahul tailored a crucial 165-run partnership with Virat Kohli (85) to bring India back into the chase.

"We always knew what Rahul brings to the team, the quality of a batter he is, especially in the middle order. We need someone, and he is that kind of a player who plays spin well, also the fast bowlers and the seamers," said Mhambrey during an interaction.

"So, in that sense, he gives you the stability and confidence. And, the way he has played in the past, we definitely trusted him, and it's good to have him back." After returning to the Indian team following a long injury lay-off, Rahul has scored an unbeaten hundred against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and also made two fifties in the three-ODI series against Australia.

The spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja (3/28), Ravichandran Ashwin (1/34) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/42) shared six wickets as India restricted Australia to 199.

"Looking at the way they (Australia) approached the last few games, we realised that they went hard in the first ten overs. We knew with the ball being hard, it does come on to the wicket," Mhambrey said.

"The approach has been very simple. They went hard against the seamers and spinners.

"So, picking early wickets was really important for us, and that made the difference, as they lost (Mitchell) Marsh