KL Rahul wants India's middle-order to be 'challenged' ahead of ODI World Cup 2023

India and Australia have been hard at work on their preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Currently, both sides are engaged in a three-match ODI series and will be hopeful that the ODIs will prove to be good practice ahead of the marquee tournament.

Ahead of the second ODI, India skipper KL Rahul was of a similar opinion. Speaking after the toss, Rahul opined that it was a good thing that the side’s middle order was challenged in the first ODI. He opined that it provides a lot of confidence to the batters to finish the job for their side.

“It is good for the middle order as well to be challenged, and we've been challenged in the Asia Cup, and that can happen. It is good for all of our batters to get some time in the middle and do the job for the team. It will give us a lot of confidence going into the big tournament,” Rahul said.

It’s a good challenge for us to put a big total on board: KL Rahul

Speaking of the second ODI, Australia opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Reflecting on the same, Rahul opined that the Indian team would have looked to bowl first as well seeing the pitch. However, it could prove to be a good challenge for the batters to post a big total on the board.

“We would have bowled first as well, considering the size and history of the ground. It gets easier to bat later, and the dew comes in, which is a factor. It’s a good challenge for us to put a big total on board,” Rahul said.

With the second ODI well underway, Australia will look to improve on their performance from the first ODI, as the side faced a defeat in Mohali. Led by Steve Smith, they will hope that the same is not the case in Indore as they aim to keep the series alive.