'I Wasn't Going to Run Singles Anyway': KL Rahul Reveals He Advised Virat Kohli to Go For His Century

Wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul revealed that it was he who advised Virat Kohli to go his century during the ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh on Thursday. Kohli ended his 8-year wait to slam his third World Cup ton at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The batting maestro finished off the match with a six and completed his century as India beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets to register four consecutive victories.

Meanwhile, Kohli’s century came amidst a lot of drama as at one stage India required 26 runs to win and he was batting at 74. He decided not to take a single apart from the last ball of the over and looked to score boundaries or doubles. When he was three runs away from a ton and India two away from win, Bangladesh spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a wide down the leg side but the umpire didn’t adjudge it. With another dot ball, he reached the mark with a sensational six over mid-wicket.

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Rahul, who was batting alongside Kohli, said that the 34-year-old was a bit confused about going for a ton but he advised him to try for it.

“Virat Kohli was confused he said it wouldn’t look very nice not to take a single, it’s still a World Cup, it’s a big stage, I don’t want to look like I just want to get the milestone. But I said, we will still win this quite comfortably so if you can get to the milestone then why not, you must try. He did that in the end and I wasn’t going to run the singles anyway,” Rahul told broadcasters after the match.

Also Read | Chasemaster Virat Kohli Hits Century, Guides India to Seven-wicket Win Against Bangladesh

Kohli faced 97 balls, including six fours and four sixes, with this century his third score in excess of fifty in four innings following contributions of 85 and 55 not out in recent pool wins over Australia and Afghanistan.

Kohli and Rahul shared an 83-run unbeaten stand for the fourth wicket to take India over the line in 41.3 overs.

Meanwhile, India and New Zealand are the only two unbeaten sides in the tournament but this will change (unless rain plays spoilsport) when the two teams face each other on Sunday at Dharamsala.