NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli was as usual brilliant in pacing his innings but India captain Rohit Sharma said that KL Rahul's hundred was just as important in the team's record-breaking 228-run win over Pakistan in an Asia Cup Super Four match on Monday.
Kohli remained unbeaten with a score of 122, while Rahul delivered a smashing performance with 111 runs. Their remarkable 233-run partnership for the third wicket propelled India to an equally record-equaling total of 356 for 2.
Following this impressive batting display, Kuldeep Yadav then dismantled the opposition with a five-wicket haul.
"Virat's innings was brilliantly paced. And then KL, last minute to get back from injury and play 5 minutes before the toss. We told him to get ready. Shows the mindset of the player. Looking at how we batted, there were lots of positives with the openers and then Virat and KL," said the Indian captain.
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>AFPThe Indian skipper himself scored an attacking fifty to set the platform and couldn't be happier that his team ticked all boxes in a near-flawless performance.
"It was a fantastic performance, right from yesterday. When we started, we knew the wicket was good and we had to adjust with the rain, the two experienced guys we knew they'd take time to get their eye in and then we can get going."
It was also Jasprit Bumrah's first chance to roll his arm in an ODI game and he bowled a probing spell to get Imam ul Haq's wicket.
"He looked good. He swung it both ways and he's worked really hard for the last 8-10 months. Bumrah is only 27 (nearly 30), for him to miss games isn't ideal but the way he bowled showed what he is all about," Rohit said.
The skipper also thanked the Premadasa ground staff for their tireless work to get a full game despite multiple stoppages through the last two days.
"We just wanted to get out on the park, to get some game time. Lot of guys haven't had that. That could only happen thanks to a great effort from the groundsmen. I know how tough it is to cover and remove covers from the whole ground. On behalf of the entire team, we would like to thank them."
(With inputs from PTI)
