Kris Srikkanth believes that important efforts from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were overlooked by Virat Kohli’s incredible century in Sunday, November 30’s first ODI between India and South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Rahul and Jadeja’s 65-run partnership off just 36 balls for the sixth wicket helped India finish well in the first innings and put up an imposing total of 349/8 after being asked to bat first by the Proteas, according to Srikkanth, while Kohli stole the show with his 52nd ODI century.
Kohli scored a magnificent 135 off 120 balls before leaving in the 43rd over.
The South African bowlers had no rest at all as Rahul hammered 60 off only 56 balls and Jadeja added 32 off 20 balls.
“No one noticed Jadeja’s knock of 29 (32) from 17 (20) balls. In fact, he performed at a higher level. Despite being exceptional, the final KL Rahul-Jadeja collaboration was overlooked. Given their respective strike rates in the partnership, that was crucial, and they both crushed the bowling. Virat Kohli’s knock eclipsed everything, thus no one saw that effect. “They completed the task without creating any noise,” Srikkanth stated on his YouTube account.
“I’m not sure if Washington Sundar will surpass him. It would have benefited India if KL Rahul had batted higher in the order. He must never fall below five. Indeed, it was a Champions Trophy approach that worked. However, I don’t believe you ought to get a habit out of it. He ought to bat at number four or five. Instead of finishing at number five, Washington Sundar can go as a finisher,” he continued.
“India cannot function without Rahul, the elegant Rolls-Royce driver. He easily and effortlessly scored his 60. He was unstoppable after hitting that six off Burger. However, I fail to see why KL Rahul bats at number six. He ought to bat no higher than No. 4 or No. 5. This reasoning completely baffles me,” Srikkanth asked.
The Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the game by 17 runs. On Wednesday, December 3, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur will host the second ODI.
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