Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli saved India once again during a tricky run-chase in their World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai recently. He alongside KL Rahul showed nerves of steel as the Men in Blue completed a 200-run chase in MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Team India will now face Afghanistan in their second match of the World Cup in Delhi. In a conversation with Rahul, Kohli said that it is always special to bat in front of the home crowd.
It becomes a little awkward: Kohli on playing in Delhi
“The memory is always fresh. That is where it all started and the selectors saw you for the first time. It’s always special to go back to the Arun Jaitley and play in front of the home crowd. It becomes a little awkward while still playing and see your name in of the pavilion boards,” said Kohli while speaking to Rahul.
Speaking on his partnership with Kohli, Rahul said, “I had just taken a shower and was hoping to put my feet up for half an hour after the fielding innings, but I had to come in. Virat said that I should play like Test cricket for a bit. Happy to play this for the team. There was a bit of help for the fast bowlers early on. Towards the end, the dew played a bit of a part for them. The ball also skidded on better. It was still two-paced. It was not a great wicket to bat on, neither was it too difficult.
Speaking about the chase in Chennai, India lost Ishan Kishan, skipper Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer for ducks, leaving India at 2/3. Then a 165-run stand between Virat Kohli (85 in 116 balls with six fours) and KL Rahul (97* in 115 balls with eight fours and two sixes) helped India secure a six-wicket win. Josh Hazlewood (3/38) was the best bowler for Australia.
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