'Anything you love requires patience' - KL Rahul after match-winning knock against Australia in 1st ODI

The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Australia saw the hosts taking a 1-0 lead after defeating the visitors at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Indian bowlers did really well to restrict Australia to 188 runs in 35.4 overs of the first innings, the least number of overs taken by India to dismiss Australia in an ODI in the history of the game. 

In reply, Australia started off really well as India's top-order batters were sent packing in the blink of an eye. After Marcus Stoinis trapped Ishan Kishan in front of the stumps in just the second over of the game, Virat Kohli walked back scoring four runs off nine deliveries and Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for a golden duck. Even the in-form Shubman Gill did not receive much assistance from the pitch.

It was then the calm and composed innings played by KL Rahul that helped India clinch a victory. The wicketkeeper-batter walked out to bat at No. 5, and remained unbeaten scoring 75 off 91 deliveries, thereby taking India over the line. After his 44-run partnership with stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya came to an end, he was joined by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as the duo stitched up an unbeaten 108-run partnership, helping India clinch a win.

After the game, KL Rahul took to his Instagram to share some pictures from the game and captioned:

"Anything you love requires patience…"

KL Rahul aims to get back in form

Notably, KL Rahul had been out of form for quite some time, which also led to him being droopped from India's playing combination for the third and fourth Tests against Australia in the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy. After poor outings in the white-ball format, he was also removed from the vice-captain's role and Pandya was given the duties. 

In the ODI series against Sri Lanka at home, Rahul managed to notch up one half-century (64*), but failed to convert his knocks to big scores in the remaining games. In the away series against Bangladesh, he failed to put up a show in the Tests and even the ODIs.

Hence, the knock against Australia would have meant a lot for him, especially at a stage where the team has been preparing for the ODI World Cup which is set to be hosted by India later this year. Rahul would be aiming to put up similar performances in the upcoming games so as to cement his place in the team.

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