Kris Srikkanth believes that Virat Kohli’s epic century in the first One-Day International between India and South Africa on November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi overshadowed key contributions from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.
Kohli’s 52nd ODI hundred might have been the talk of the town, but Srikkanth believes India got a huge boost with Rahul and Jadeja adding 65 runs off only 36 balls for the sixth wicket to push the side past 300, eventually posting a solid 349/8 after being asked to bat first by South Africa.
Virat Kohli was dismissed in the 43rd over after scoring a brilliant 135 off 120 balls. Rahul scored 60 off just 56 balls, and Jadeja contributed a whirlwind 20-ball 32, giving the South African bowlers no respite.
“His (Jadeja) knock of 29 (32) from 17 (20) balls went unnoticed. He also actually played at a different level. The final KL Rahul-Jadeja partnership was outstanding but went unnoticed. That was a key and both clobbered the bowling given their strike rates in the partnership. Nobody saw that effect because everything was overshadowed by Virat Kohli’s knock. They did the job silently without making noise about it,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth Says India Would Benefit If KL Rahul Batted Higher
The former India captain, however, questioned the decision to send all-rounder Washington Sundar instead of stand-in skipper Rahul. Kris Srikkanth stated that Rahul should never bat below No. 5.
“I don’t know about Washington Sundar going ahead of him. If KL Rahul had batted higher in the order, it would have been better for India. He should never go below 5. Yes, it was a successful move in the Champions Trophy. But I don’t think you should make it a habit. He should be batting at No. 4 or 5. Washington Sundar can go as a finisher rather than coming in at No. 5.”
Kris Srikkanth
“Classy Rolls-Royce Rahul, India can’t do without him. He scored his 60 with effortless ease. Once he struck that six off Burger, he was unstoppable. But I don’t understand why KL Rahul comes into bat at No. 6. He should be batting at No. 4 or 5, not beyond that. I don’t understand this logic at all.”
Kris Srikkanth
The Men in Blue won the game by 17 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will be played on December 3 (Wednesday) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
