Twitter Reactions: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul own Pakistan in Colombo with scintillating hundreds

Star India batter KL Rahul announced his comeback to international cricket in style as he notched up a splendid hundred against Pakistan during the Super 4 fixture in Asia Cup 2023. Rahul resumed his innings on 17* (28) on Monday, September 11, the reserve the day of the match after rain didn’t allow India to continue their innings on Sunday.

The 31-year-old began his innings cautiously as he scored just eight more runs in the next 17 deliveries. Rahul broke loose in the 30^th over as he crunched Shaheen Afridi for a boundary through point in the 30^th over. He further smacked Iftikhar Ahmed for a four and a six on consecutive deliveries in the very next over to move into the 40s.

The middle-order batter reached his fifty off 60 balls in the 34^th over with a single against Faheem Ashraf. Rahul further shifted gears after his fifty and smacked Shadab Khan for a boundary and a six in the very next over to take the innings run rate past six. During his knock, he also completed 2,000 runs in ODIs batting in his 53^rd innings.

Rahul further carried his innings forward and quickly moved into the 90’s with a couple of boundaries against Faheem Ashraf in the 45^th over. He completed the milestone in the 47^th over and reached his fifth ODI hundred. 

At the other end, Kohli also completed his 47^th ODI hundred and became the fastest batter to complete 13,000 runs in ODIs. The star batter first completed his fifty in 55 balls and later completed his century in 84 balls.

The duo got involved in a massive 233-run partnership off 193 balls to propel India's total to 356/2 at the end of their 50 overs.  Kohli remained unbeaten on 122* (94) while Rahul remained unbeaten on 111* (106). India also levelled their highest total in ODIs vs Pakistan. They had earlier scored 356/9 against the arch-rivals in Visakhapatnamin, 2005. The match is famously known for MS Dhoni's first ODI hundred (148 off 123).

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on Rahul and Kohli's knocks, here are some of the posts:

A comeback like none other. Superb knock from KL Rahul#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/d0RSabIlfo

— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) September 11, 2023

#kl rahul https://t.co/uFJSfpyXWD

— Cricketadda (@Amitbhi08) September 11, 2023

#INDvPAK

KL Rahul after Injury pic.twitter.com/ndcPa36t5e

— . (@AryanReborn) September 11, 2023

Bhaiii on fiireee haiii @klrahul #IndiavsPak #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/Wb8x6Gvvs8

Classic Rahul is back 🔥🔥❤#KLRahul #ViratKohli #IndiaVsPakistan pic.twitter.com/kdw4LABRw6

— Arvindsharma_29 (@ArvindSharmaVl1) September 11, 2023

What a comeback this!! Well played @klrahul macha! 🤌

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) September 11, 2023

What a Century from KL Rahul.....!!!!!
What a dream comeback from him. Give us the World Cup already. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/0PNfuOWobE

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 11, 2023

Century by KL RAHUL 🔥❤️
Bleed Blue 💙

SENSATIONAL FUKRA INSAAN @klrahul pic.twitter.com/1bgVl4cByp

— Chirag Agarwal (@chiragagarwal__) September 11, 2023

The comeback is always stronger than setback !! Well played Kl Rahul 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/D8hjVBHYFS

— Om (@ViratStann18) September 11, 2023

Hats off to the dynamic duo, @imVkohli and @klrahul , both bringing up their centuries in a jaw-dropping partnership that defines excellence! 🤝 Pure cricketing magic at its best! 🙌 #indvspak #asiacup2023 pic.twitter.com/mWHDTrtC5s

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 11, 2023

What a brilliant partnership @imVkohli & @klrahul
Congratulations for strong come back Rahul 💪
Best of luck pakistan 🇵🇰 👍 ❤️ #PakistanZindabad #pakvsind2023 #AsiaCup2023

— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) September 11, 2023

Brilliant batting by this duo @imVkohli & @klrahul congrats to both for 💯…fastest 13000 Runs by @imVkohli amazing stats …top class #pakvsind2023 #AsiaCup2023

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) September 11, 2023

Brilliant from @klrahul and king @imVkohli . Sabash india 🇮🇳 #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2023 @BCCI

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 11, 2023