‘He did not give any chance throughout…’ – Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar lauds star India batter’s ‘chanceless’ innings vs Australia in ODI World Cup 2023

Team India had a stellar start to the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign as they registered a 6-wicket win against five-time world champions Australia on October 8 at MA Chidambaram in Chennai. Notably, after the win, India’s stalwarts Virat Kohli and KL Rahul received a plethora of praise from former cricketers as well as cricket experts.

However, former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar feels that KL Rahul’s performance should be equally lauded as compared to India’s batting great Virat Kohli. The 48-year-old cricket analyst feels that KL Rahul did not give a single chance to the Australian bowlers to take the game away from them during their opening game of the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 8.

“The way KL Rahul asserted his authority, he looks to be in a different league. Virat Kohli played a great innings but he could not play a chanceless innings. When KL Rahul was batting, he did not give any chance throughout his innings,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

KL Rahul is a complete player and needs to be backed throughout: Shoaib Akhtar

In addition, the former pacer also affirms that India’s middle-order batter, KL Rahul, also soaked up pressure in the game when the situation was tough. The legendary cricketer says that KL Rahul took a single with Virat Kohli between the chases, so he should be equally lauded for his fitness as compared to the RCB stalwart. Moreover, the right-arm fast bowler recognizes that the LSG skipper is the complete player, and he needs full backing throughout the tournament.

“Rahul hit shots when it was needed, and soaked in pressure with the situation of the game was tough. Don’t forget that he kept wickets as well just before this for 50 overs. People laud Virat Kohli for his fitness and his running between the wickets, but KL Rahul is running with him too. KL Rahul is a complete player and needs to be backed throughout,” he added further.