Virat Kohli and KL Rahul played important innings to lead India to a four-wicket win over Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2024. Kohli was named the Player of the Match for scoring 84 runs, while Rahul amassed an unbeaten 42 runs.
The Men in Blue have lost to Australia in a couple of knockouts in the last two years but finally went past the challenge of the Men in Yellow. Virat and Rahul were held responsible for India’s defeat against Australia in the 2023 World Cup final.
Their critics had said that the two played slowly, and the team failed to put enough runs on the board while batting first. Rahul amassed 66 of 107 balls, while Virat managed 52 off 63 deliveries as the hosts posted 240 in 50 overs. Australia completed the chase in 43 overs, with Travis Head scoring a hundred.
Former India player Aakash Chopra hailed Kohli and Rahul for their batting in Dubai. “It is redemption and revenge for Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. They were held responsible for India’s defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. People said they batted slowly and failed to lead the team to a challenging total.
“But the two have shown the world what they can do in big matches. The situation was different on that day, but today they gave a befitting reply to their critics. What a comeback by these two,” Aakash said on Sports18.
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