IND vs AUS | Twitter agrees with frustrated Rahul after veteran admonishes Kohli for succumbing to rash shot

03/04/2025

No one in the history of ODI cricket has come close to perfect the art of chasing like Virat Kohli has, yet he is only a mortal that falters every so often. The Indian legend came under fire from teammate KL Rahul after the latter's efforts to take pressure off Kohli backfired spectacularly.

India recovered well after losing two powerplay wickets in pursuit of Australia's 265 with a place in the Champions Trophy final at stake, in Dubai on Tuesday. Steady contributions from Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel allowed Virat Kohli to shepherd the chase along with his characteristic control as he moved towards a record 29th ton while chasing but by the time the fourth wicket fell in the 35th over, the scoring rate had begun to take a toll. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old was happy to knock the ball around and keep the scorecard ticking, prompting KL Rahul to take over the attacking responsibilities as he slammed Ben Dwarshuis for a boundary in the 42nd over and followed it up with a maximum off Adam Zampa three deliveries later. However, little did the Karnataka batter know his strategy would end up hurting the team in unexpected ways.

Rahul, as a firm believer of cricketing wisdom, rotated six immediately after the big strike with the required run rate back under run-a-ball after staying over six for a few overs. However, Kohli defied his expectations of reciprocating the gesture by instead trying to launch a googly down the ground and only managed to send the Kookaburra straight down long-on's throat. Rahul could not believe what had just transpired as he hung his head back in agony and as a distraught Kohli walked past him, his frustrated counterpart mouthed, "Mai maar raha tha na [I was hitting no]," making sure Kohli realized the grave mistake he had just committed.

Twitterati expressed complete agreement with the Indian veteran as they wondered about the chase master's absurd decision.

There was no need

— ashik (@ashik1587212)

Exactly

KL Rahul to Virat, "Main maar raha tha."
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully)

Dismissed

KL Rahul to Virat Kohli after the his dismissal:

- "Main maar raha tha na yaar (I was hitting na yaar). 🥹❤️
— Dipak Official...... (@DipakOfficial25)

Brilliant

KL Rahul's reaction on Virat Kohli's dismissal
— Adrenaline 18 (@Kohli_Beliver18)

He was sad

KL Rahul's reaction on Virat Kohli's dismissal 🙁
— 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐑 🥰 (@HEER_1_)

Needed a century

Virat bhai wicket nahi chhodni thi....

Saathme KL rahul tha.... Century ho jaati...
— Mayur - The Cricket Guy (@MayurSheth97)

Jada

Kl Rahul bhai Virat Kohli se jada sad hai century na hone par..🥺
— 𝐊.🚬 (@vk_empire18)

Hit it

KL Rahul to Virat Kohli : Main maar raha tha na yaar 😢
— Akshat Om (@AkshatOM10)

Take a bow

KL Rahul to Virat Kohli after the dismissal:

"Main maar raha tha na yaar (I was hitting it, man)".

TAKE A BOW, KING KOHLI. 🙇‍♂️🇮🇳

- 84 (95) with 5 fours. Missed out on a world class Century.🐐
— Nitesh Prajapati (@itsmenitesh04)

Selfless