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OTD: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul's Iconic Partnership Helped India Beat Australia In World Cup 2023

Kohli and KL Rahul added crucial runs for India's win [Source: @sathish97776160/X.Com] Kohli and KL Rahul added crucial runs for India's win [Source: @sathish97776160/X.Com]

On this day, last year, Team India gave a mini heart-attack to their fans while chasing a modest 200 in their World Cup 2023 opening game. Playing against Australia, India were in cruise control when they restricted the Aussies to a mere 199.

However, it was the Indian batting which struggled under lights and it almost looked as if they'll lose the opening match of the World Cup in front of their home fans. But just when everything was lost, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul forged a masterful performance to steer India past the winning line in Chennai.

On a tricky Chepauk surface, Australian batters struggled against the Indian bowlers and couldn't get going on a humid day. Despite 40s from David Warner and Steve Smith, the middle-order collapsed and they couldn't even cross the 200-run mark. For India, Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 28.

Calm and composed Kohli, KL steer India to impossible victory

The Indian fans expected the total to be chased, rather easily. However, nightmare struck when both Ishan Kishan and captain Rohit Sharma departed for the score of 0. A lot was dependent on Shreyas Iyer, but even he failed to open his account as India were tottering at 2/3, with Kohli and KL Rahul at the crease.

The Australian side could smell victory, but as they say, when Kohli plays, India always wins. He was at his fluent best, and played some gorgeous shots to ease the pressure on the Indian team. It wasn't the most free-flowing knock, but he ensured that the pressure was back on the Australian team.

He was joined by KL Rahul, who played cautiously, but once settled in, there was no looking back. The duo played each ball to its merit and added 165 runs for the fourth-wicket before Kohli was dismissed for a well-compiled 85 off 116 deliveries.

The finishing touches were provided by KL Rahul (97*) and Hardik Pandya (11*) as India won by 6-wickets to open their World Cup campaign with a win.