NEW DELHI: India's wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul made a stunning return to international cricket after a prolonged injury absence. Rahul, who had been sidelined due to a severe thigh injury that required surgery, delivered a remarkable performance in the Asia Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo.
The 31-year-old displayed resilience and skill as he smashed an unbeaten century, scoring 111 runs from 106 balls. His outstanding innings played a crucial role in India's commanding 228-run victory over Pakistan.
In an interview with Star Sports after achieving his sixth One Day International (ODI) century, Rahul admitted to feeling nervous initially, given the magnitude of his return to international cricket.
"Obviously, this is my first international match after a long time. I played a couple of practice games, but we all know the intensity is not the same. So when I walked in, I had that initial nervousness," said Rahul.
1/10:Asia Cup: India crush Pakistan in rain-hit ODI
AP
2/10:India thrash Pakistan
<p>Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit unbeaten centuries to lead India's 228-run thrashing of Pakistan in a rain-hit Super Four clash of the Asia Cup on Monday's reserve day. </p>AFP
3/10:Record stand
<p>Kohli (122*) and Rahul (111*) put together 233 runs as India reached 356-2, a total defended after they bowled out Pakistan for 128 in the 50-over contest in Colombo. </p>Getty Images
4/10:India win
<p>Pakistan ended on 128-8 in 32 overs with injured bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah not turning out to bat. </p>AP
5/10:Kuldeep Yadav
<p>Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned figures of 5-25 to hand India their biggest ODI win over Pakistan. </p>Getty Images
6/10:Dashing duo
<p>Rahul, who returned from an injury lay-off, raised his bat to celebrate his hundred and was hugged by Kohli, who soon brought up his own ton after surpassing 13,000 ODI runs. </p>AFP
7/10:47th ODI 100
<p>It was Kohli's 47th ODI ton and extended his century score to 77 in internationals. </p>PTI
8/10:Match-winning stand
<p>Kohli and Rahul resumed cautiously on their overnight scores of 8 and 17 before they took to the Pakistan attack with 100 runs in 102 balls. </p>PTI
9/10:Classy knock
<p>Rahul smashed 12 fours and two sixes, including whipping Shadab Khan over mid-wicket, in his 106-ball knock. </p>ANI
10/10:Final flourish
<p>Kohli finished the innings with a six down the ground against a bowling attack that lacked sting. Sloppy fielding added to Pakistan's woes. </p>Getty ImagesHowever, Rahul quickly regained his composure, saying, "It took me 10-15 balls to just calm myself down and get my feet moving, get my mind thinking of the right things. Then, when I hit one or two boundaries, all those things, the fogginess in your clarity, went away, and it became like before."
Rain interruptions added an extra layer of complexity to Rahul's innings. He and Virat Kohli (122 not out) had to restart India's innings, which was halted on the previous day due to rain, with the team at 147 for two in 24.1 overs.
Reflecting on these challenges, Rahul explained, "I was looking at the ball, looking at the situation, and you see what you have to do. But just when I got my rhythm, it started raining... and I had to wait for a whole day. Today we came back and had to wait for the innings to start. So, again, the first 10-15 balls were sort of nervy, and after that, once you start to hit a few balls in the middle, you forget about those things, and then you start thinking about where you can score runs and what I have to do."
1/10:Double delight! Virat Kohli, KL Rahul fire impressive tons against Pakistan
AP
2/10:Kohli, Rahul shine
<p>Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit unbeaten centuries as India posted a mammoth 356/2 against Pakistan in a rain-hit Super Four match of the Asia Cup on Monday.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:Batters shine on reserve day
<p>India resumed on 147/2 in Colombo after rain ended play early on Sunday and pushed the 50-over game into a reserve day. <br /></p>AP
4/10:Double delight
<p>Rain again delayed the start but no overs were lost and Rahul (111) and Kohli (122 off 94) put on an unbeaten stand of 233 runs. <br /></p>AFP
5/10:A record stand
<p>The stand between Kohli and Rahul is now the highest partnership in the history of the ODI Asia Cup. The duo surpassed Mohd. Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed's 224-run stand against India in 2012.<br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:Rewriting record books
<p>The stand is now also the highest partnership for India vs Pakistan in ODIs for any wicket. Navjot Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar held the previous record of 231 that came in 1996 for the second wicket.<br /></p>Getty Images
7/10:Impressive comeback
<p>Rahul, who returned from an injury lay-off, raised his bat to celebrate his hundred and was hugged by Kohli, who soon brought up his own ton after surpassing 13,000 ODI runs.<br /></p>PTI
8/10:A cautious start
<p>Kohli and Rahul resumed cautiously on their overnight scores of eight and 17 before they took to the Pakistan attack with 100 runs in 102 balls.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:Attacking Rahul
<p>Rahul smashed 12 fours and two sixes, including whipping Shadab Khan over mid-wicket, in his 106-ball knock.<br /></p>AFP
10/10:Kohli blitz
<p>Kohli (9 fours, 3 sixes) finished the innings with a six down the ground against a bowling attack that lacked sting. <br /></p>AFPDespite these obstacles, Rahul's partnership with Virat Kohli proved to be the turning point of the match. The duo shared a remarkable 233-run partnership for the unconquered third wicket, propelling India to a formidable total of 356-2.
Speaking about his partnership with Kohli, Rahul praised the Indian captain, saying, "He has hit 13,000 runs. I can't say anything about that man; he is just phenomenal. Words are short to describe what a great cricketer he is, and I've always felt comfortable playing with him in the middle."
(With PTI inputs)
