IND vs PAK: Gautam Gambhir Speaks On KL Rahul's 111-Run Knock Against Pakistan In Asia Cup 2023, Says 'Not Just Him, The Entire Country Is Happy'

The former India opener, Gautam Gambhir opened up on KL Rahul’s stupendous 111-run knock against Pakistan in the third Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday (September 11th) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and said that the whole nation is happy for him.

KL Rahul was out of the field for five months after he suffered a thigh injury during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and had to go through surgery which forced him to stay out of the crease.

KL Rahul started his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and played his first competitive match against the Men in Green in the third Super Fours game of the Continental Cup.

Rahul missed the first two matches of the tournament since he was not fully fit. According to Ajit Agarkar, KL Rahul received a niggle during a practice match at NCA however, the player made a solid comeback in the match and answered all the critics who said that he will take time to get his form back.

During the toss, Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue skipper revealed that Shreyas Iyer suffered a back spasm which forced him out of the playing eleven and the 31-year-old was included in the squad in Iyer’s place.

India dominated the match from the initial overs as the Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill made a solid partnership of 121 runs. After they were dismissed, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul took the responsibility to dominate the match.

Virat Kohli scored 122 runs from 94 balls and was named the Player of the Match, whereas the 31-year-old made 111 runs in 106 balls. In the second inning, Kuldeep Yadav led the bowling attack and helped India get a 228-run win against their arch-rivals. Kuldeep picked five wickets from his eight-over spell and gave away 25 runs.

Absolutely fantastic, especially when you are playing after five months: Gautam Gambhir on KL Rahul

The former India batsman praised the 31-year-old for his stellar inning in his first competitive after staying out for five months due to a thigh injury.

“Absolutely fantastic, especially when you are playing after five months and after such a serious injury also had surgery then coming back and playing in an important game against Pakistan.

“Not just KL Rahul, the entire country and the team management must be very happy with KL Rahul’s performance,” Gautam Gambhir told to Star Sports.

Rohit Sharma-led India locked horns against Sri Lanka in the fourth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday (September 12th).