'Playing For Personal Milestone'- KL Rahul Reveals Chat With Virat Kohli In IND-BAN Game
Virat Kohli smashed a brilliant hundred (Twitter)
Amidst the razzmatazz of boundary-roaring shots and a game of nerve-wracking tension, the World Cup 2023 clash between India and Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday bore witness to an act of excellent sportsmanship.
In this era where individual milestones often overshadow team goals, KL Rahul's act of altruism stood out as an attestation to the spirit of cricket. Despite the temptation of the scoreboard, Rahul chose country over self, ensuring that India's batting maestro, Virat Kohli, had the platform to shine.
KL Rahul sheds light on exchange with Virat Kohli
The limelight might have predominantly rested on Kohli, given his magisterial 103-run knock from 97 balls, which included six boundaries and four sixes. However, it's imperative to realize that behind the curtains, it was Rahul's selflessness that played a crucial role in scripting this memorable inning.
In the crucial last phases of the match, with India just 30 runs shy of victory and Kohli inching towards his 48th ODI ton, Rahul took an unprecedented decision. He refused to take singles, offering Kohli the lion's share of the strike for a nail-biting 19 balls. It was a move that showcased Rahul's deep understanding of the game's larger narrative and his incredible selflessness.
While Kohli stood on the cusp of a century with 97 runs, and with the team requiring just 2 runs for victory, a controversial non-call for a wide by umpire Richard Kettleborough added to the drama. Unfazed, Kohli responded a couple of deliveries later with a six to mid-wicket, bringing up his century in style and etching yet another unforgettable chapter in World Cup history.
This century marked a comeback for Kohli, who, after a long gap of eight years in World Cups, showcased his batting brilliance on the global stage. For his exceptional innings, he was, unsurprisingly, named the 'Man of the Match.'
Post-match revelations provided a deeper insight into Rahul's thought process. He had relayed to Kohli his decision to eschew singles, to which Kohli had expressed concerns about public perception – fearing people might believe he was playing for personal glory. But, Rahul, with a heart in the right place, conveyed that the situation was under control and encouraged Kohli to go for the milestone.
"I denied single to Virat Kohli, he said it would be bad if you won't take singles, people will think I'm playing for personal milestone. But I said we are comfortably winning, you complete your century,” said Rahul.
Following this stellar performance, the Indian team continues to go from strength to strength as they have now registered four back-to-back victories. This places them at the second spot in the points table, trailing only New Zealand.
In a much-anticipated encounter, the two top table teams, India and the Kiwis, are set to lock horns this Sunday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
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