Virat Kohli and KL Rahul looked in stupendous touch against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2022. However, India was already knocked out of the Asia Cup 2022 final race before the match took place.
The duo finally came to the fore as India defeated Afghanistan by 101 runs, with the former ending his century drought with a 122-run knock. While the century from Virat Kohli’s bat and a fifty from KL Rahul was warmly welcomed by Indian cricket fans, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq feels the performance came a little too late.
As India took on Afghanistan in the Asia Cup Super 4 match, they were already knocked out of the race for the Asia Cup 2022 final. Even Afghanistan was already out of the final contention. Hence, Inzamam-ul-Haq feels Virat Kohli and KL Rahul got a little late in producing the sort of performance they did against the Afghans.
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were in top form against Afghanistan Photo: AP
Inzamam-ul-Haq Praised KL Rahul And Virat Kohli’s Batting Against Afghanistan But Reckons It Came A Bit Too Late
India hammered Afghanistan by 101 runs in an inconsequential encounter in Dubai on Thursday, September 8. Sent in to bat first after losing the toss, India posted a mammoth 212 for two on the board courtesy of Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 122 off 61 balls. Bhuvneshwar Kumar then claimed five for four as Afghanistan was restricted to 111-8.
“It came a bit too late. The kind of form and performance that everyone was expecting from India was on display against Afghanistan. KL Rahul and Kohli batted really well, and that aggression in their game was evident,” Inzamam-ul-Haq said on his YouTube channel.
Inzamam-Ul-Haq | AFP
“But it was a bit too late as it did not help their cause with regard to progressing further in the tournament,” the former batter added.
During the match, Virat Kohli broke his century drought, registering his first three-figure score since November 2019. KL Rahul, who has struggled for rhythm since returning from injury, also helped himself to an impressive half-century (62 off 41).
Virat Kohli Will Be Relieved After Ending His Century Drought: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Virat Kohli’s return to form comes at the perfect time for Team India. The Asia Cup 2022 was being seen as a preparatory tournament for the Indian team to get a few things right. Though not everything has worked out for the Men in Blue, the ex-skipper and star batter’s return to form is being seen as the biggest positive.
Virat Kohli // Getty
“It is definitely good news for India that Kohli scored a hundred after more than a thousand days. His form is crucial for India to win matches going forward. Kohli himself will be relieved and will be much more relaxed now,” explained Inzamam.
Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and the rest of the members of the Indian team would look to further improve their form in the forthcoming assignments against Australia and South Africa before the T20I World Cup 2022.
India was knocked out of the Asia Cup after going down to Pakistan and Sri Lanka by five and six wickets, respectively. They also failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
India 212 for 2 (Kohli 122*, Rahul 62, Fareed 2-57) beat Afghanistan 111 for 8 (Ibrahim 64*, Bhuvneshwar 5-4) by 101 runs
