With opener Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of the World Cup with a thumb fracture, the onus of sharing the responsibility, along with Rohit Sharma, is now on K.L. Rahul.
Drafted into the World Cup side as the third opener, Rahul was entrusted with the number four position by captain Virat Kohli. However, as luck would have it, he is back in his preferred opener's role for the entire duration of the World Cup because of Dhawan's unavailability. Against Pakistan, Rahul scored a watchful 57 in 78 balls, with three fours and two sixes. More importantly, he had a 136-run opening partnership with Sharma (140) which laid the foundation for a big score. It was his third ODI half-century.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikanth said in his ICC column that, for him, the more important innings against Pakistan was that of Rahul's. “Going into the game, the biggest question mark about this team was how they would cope without Dhawan. The fact that the top three got runs and Sharma and Rahul put on more than a hundred runs for first wicket is huge for India, going forward.”
Talking about the approach of taking on Pakistan bowlers, especially Mohammad Amir, Rahul said he followed the team's template of playing risk-free cricket in the first powerplay. “With the new ball, against any bowler, it’s always important to see off the first few overs. We didn’t know what to expect from the wicket (at Old Trafford). The wicket was under covers for the last two days. Amir is a quality bowler and he has done damage in the first spells in the past. So yes, it was important that we were switched on from ball one, which we were.
“We didn’t take chances in the first few overs till we got used to the wicket. We gave the bowlers and the ball due respect,” he said.
On replacing Dhawan, Rahul admitted he had big shoes to fill. “Shikhar and Rohit have been such a dangerous combo in the past 3-4 years. They own those positions. I had to wait for my chance. I am just happy that I got to bat in top three. It was my first international game against Pakistan and it came in the World Cup, so I couldn’t ask for anything bigger or better. I’m happy I got the opportunity and I give myself 6 out of 10,” he said.
