World Cup 2023: Hopefully more of us can get hundreds and keep winning, says KL Rahul

Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma as India’s centurions at the ongoing 2023 World Cup. KL Rahul could have had one too but for the equation not going in his favour against Australia in the team’s opener. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 97 runs when an attempted boundary went all the way to close the match out.

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But KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper for India, is pleased to see back-to-back centuries coming from the camp. Rohit Sharma slammed 131 runs against Afghanistan in Delhi and Kohli followed it up with an unbeaten 103 versus Bangladesh on Thursday in Pune.

“Virat, the less you say the better about it. He has been notching up those numbers for years now, that is what he did again. There was an opportunity at the end, (and) he finished the game for us,” Rahul told the media after India’s seven-wicket win over Bangladesh.

“Getting a hundred is always very special, I am really happy for him. Ro (Rohit Sharma) has got a hundred now, Virat has got a hundred (too). Hopefully, as the World Cup goes (on), a few more of us can get these hundreds and keep winning the matches,” Rahul expressed.

Next up for India, who are unbeaten at the World Cup, are New Zealand who also flawless in the tournament. They will meet in Dharamsala on Sunday.

On Thursday in Pune, Rahul said India were not troubled much despite Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan (53) and Litton Das (66) making most of the powerplay to add 93 runs.

“We knew it was a good wicket and they got off to a good start. We have been in this situation before, not just us, every other team when the openers get off to a really good start and the new ball comes on really nicely on the bat,” he said.

“But once the field opens up, it becomes better for the opposition to control the run rate and that is what we did. Once we got a couple of wickets, we were back to building pressure on the batsmen,” he said.

Bangladesh, who were cruising at 90/0 after 14 overs, lost their momentum in the middle with multiple wickets lost. They could only muster 256/8 in 50 overs on a batting friendly surface.

“(It was a) good day in the field overall, I did my job quite well. Everyone else did their job really well. (It was a) good fielding day for us as a team. I think we took some really good catches, really good outfield (work) so a tick mark in that aspect of the game,” said Rahul.

India have won each of their four games so far – against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh – while chasing but KL Rahul says it will not make a lot of difference if they have to bat first.

“Not thinking so much, (we) just want to take one game at a time. Whatever we do, whether we bowl first or bat first, it is important that we do it well and we are not thinking too much about it,” he said.

Jasprit Bumrah was once again pick of the bowlers and KL Rahul said they were lucky to have him on their side.

“(He is) super special, really lucky that we have him on our team and lucky that we don’t have to break our bats with his yorkers and have to face at the end,” Rahul said.

“We have faced him a little bit in the IPL. He is a top quality bowler, really happy that he is back, he is fit. He spent a lot of time at the NCA in recovery and getting stronger,” he added.