Despite Sunday’s rain interruptions, cricket fans were treated to a mesmerizing display by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul during the Asia Cup Super 4 encounter against Pakistan in Colombo on Monday. The match, which was initially scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm on the reserve day, faced a delay due to inclement weather. However, once the game commenced, it witnessed an onslaught by two of India’s finest batsmen.
Kohli and Rahul, resuming India’s innings from 147/2 after 24.1 overs, wasted no time in making their intentions clear, maintaining a brisk scoring rate throughout. Both batsmen went on to score centuries, remaining unbeaten as they propelled India to a massive total of 356/2 in 50 overs. This total equaled India’s joint-highest ODI score against Pakistan, matching the 356/9 achieved back in 2005 at Vishakhapatnam.
Kohli’s innings consisted of an unbeaten 122 runs from 94 deliveries, featuring nine fours and three sixes. Rahul, making a return to competitive cricket after six months due to injury, remained unbeaten on 111 runs from 106 balls, comprising 12 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Together, they formed an unbeaten partnership of 233 runs for the third wicket, marking the highest partnership in the history of the Asia Cup. This partnership also holds the distinction of being the highest for any Indian pair against Pakistan. The duo set multiple records during their remarkable partnership.
Notable Records Set by Kohli and Rahul:
- Highest partnership in ODI Asia Cup: 233 runs (Virat Kohli & KL Rahul vs. PAK, today*)
- Highest partnership for India vs. Pakistan in ODIs: 233* runs (Virat Kohli & KL Rahul, Colombo)
- Consecutive ODI centuries at the same venue: 4* for Virat Kohli in Colombo
- Fastest to 13,000 runs in ODIs: Virat Kohli achieved this milestone in his 267th innings, becoming the fastest to reach multiple ODI run milestones.
Additionally, this match witnessed all of India’s top four batsmen scoring 50-plus runs. Rohit Sharma, the India captain, and his opening partner Shubman Gill provided an excellent start with a 122-run partnership for the first wicket. Rohit scored 56 runs from 49 balls, while Gill contributed 58 runs from 52 deliveries.
Colombo continued to be a happy hunting ground for Kohli, who notched his fourth consecutive ODI century at the venue. With this century, Kohli’s ODI century count reached 47, bringing him just two centuries away from matching Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Despite the rain delays, the match turned out to be a memorable one for Indian cricket fans, with Kohli and Rahul’s extraordinary partnership stealing the spotlight.