‘They Have Made Oppositions Look Silly’: KL Rahul Lauds Rohit-Kohli After Match-Winning Knocks | Cricket News

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma built a 136-run stand (Picture credit: AP)

India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul has said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made opposition look ‘silly’ and have proved a point, after the latter played a match-winning knock and Rohit built a perfect partnership with him, to take India to a 17-run win in the first ODI against South Africa.

Kohli’s 52nd ODI hundred, a commanding 135 off 120 deliveries and Rohit’s composed 57 powered India to a narrow 17-run victory over South Africa, giving the hosts a 1-0 edge in the three-match series.

On a flat JSCA pitch, Kohli (135 off 120) seized control the moment he arrived at the crease, steering India’s formidable 349/8 with a knock that fused trademark elegance with well-timed acceleration.

“Watching Rohit and Kohli play like that is always fun. They have made oppositions look silly and show why they are who they are. I have seen this for a long time; it is a lot more fun to see them around in the dressing room,” Rahul said while speaking at the post-match presentation.

However, the close nature of the game made Rahul a bit nervous towards the end.

“I would be lying if I said there were no butterflies in my stomach. We are playing ODI cricket after a while. There is some expectation. But we kept taking wickets and the bowlers stuck to their plans,” Rahul said.

The stand-in captain found batting at No. 6 a new learning experience.

“Batting at No. 6 is okay, got to do the job for the team. That is the role I have been given in the last 2-3 series. It is helping personal development,” Rahul said.

The Bengaluru man praised Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav for keeping their nerves in a high-scoring game.

“Harshit has done really well. We knew he had potential. He is tall and can bowl fast; he can give runs in the back end, but he has great potential,” Rahul said.