Photo: Cricket World Cup/TwitterKL Rahul showed his class yet again as he pulverized the Sri Lankan bowling, helping India get over the line by seven wickets at Headingley in their final league game at the 2019 ICC World Cup. The opener nabbed his first World Cup century, scoring a crucial 111 on as India chased down a target of 265 with relative ease.
Rahul, who represents Kings XI Punjab in the VIVO Indian Premier League, carried on from where he left off in the previous game against Bangladesh, building yet another century run stand alongside partner Rohit Sharma. The 27-year-old astutely fended off the new ball threat, nudging the ball away to the gaps and ensuring India always remained ahead of the asking rate.
A jubilant crowd celebrate KL Rahul's maiden World Cup 💯#CWC19 | #TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/up5BDmwl3X
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 6, 2019
He let Sharma play the role of the aggressor, building the innings along as the anchor of the opening pair. The duo put on a century run stand by the end of the 19th over, and continued the charge with Sharma getting his fifth ton of the World Cup shortly after.
The pair put on 189 runs for the opening wicket, setting the record for the highest partnership at the 2019 World Cup. Sharma was dismissed after, but Rahul remained undeterred as he continued the good batting playing alongside captain Virat Kohli.
The balletic, graceful KL Rahul 😍#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/6D9NgjUgsY
— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2019
In the 39th over, Rahul nestled one towards third-man to bring up his maiden World Cup century. The ton also meant that he and Sharma became just the third pair of openers and the first Indian duo to both get centuries at the World Cup.
Rahul’s knock, with 11 fours and one six, meant that India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, ending their league stage campaign on 15 points.
