IND vs AUS: Venkatesh Prasad praises KL Rahul as he turns table with match-winning half-century

India started off their ODI series against Australia on a flying note as the Men in Blue continued to maintain their unbeaten streak in ODIs in 2023. While at one point early in the Indian innings, India did look to be in a fix after losing their first four wickets within a paltry score of 39, it was KL Rahul who helped the team come out of the pit with his magnificent knock of 75.

KL Rahul had come out to bat when India were lingering at a score of 16 after losing three of their top-order batters within the first five overs. He then got involved with Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya in two brief partnerships of 23 and 44 runs, respectively. As India lost their 5th wicket in the form of Hardik Pandya, it all came down to the last recognized batting pair of Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja to help India maintain their unbeaten streak in ODIs in 2023. 

Rahul led the chase against Australia with Jadeja playing the role of his trusted lieutenant as the duo pulled off an unbeaten partnership of 108 runs in 20.3 overs to finally take India home. Rahul remained unbeaten at a score of 75 whereas Jadeja scored 45* to assist Rahul in the mission.

After a disastrous outing in the recently concluded Test series against Australia, Rahul had to make this opportunity count in order to regain footing in the Indian set-up. He duly accomplished that with the help of 7 boundaries and 1 maximum to give it back to his critics.

One such former cricketer who had strongly condemned Rahul's performance and even talked about his exclusion from the Indian team, Venkatesh Prasad gave Rahul his dues by congratulating him for his fabulous innings and praising him for his superb knock played under pressure. He took to Twitter to celebrate India's win and at the same time, exalt Rahul and Jadeja for their remarkable innings.

See Prasad's tweet here:

Venkatesh Prasad@venkateshprasad

Excellent composure under pressure and a brilliant innings by KL Rahul. Top knock. Great support by Ravindra Jadeja and a good win for India. #INDvAUS

08:48 PM · Mar 17, 2023

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Mohammad Shami and Siraj rattle Australia's batting line-up

Earlier, in the first innings, the Indian pacer-duo of Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj wreaked havoc on the Australian batting line-up as they shared six wickets among themselves. Siraj gave India their first breakthrough by bowling out Travis Head in the second over. Mohammad Shami took care of the proceedings in the middle overs as he dismissed Jos Inglis, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis in quick successions to handicap Australia's batting unit.

Ravindra Jadeja, who is in the form of his life, contributed with the ball as well, picking up two crucial scalps of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh who had plans of spoiling India's party. Marsh played one of his finest ODI innings in the face of dominance by Indian bowlers, to help Australia put up a respectable total. He smashed 10 fours and five sixes to score 81 runs off 65 deliveries.

India will play the remaining two ODIs of the ongoing series against Australia on March 19 and 22 in Vishakhapatnam and Chennai, respectively. 

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