India batter KL Rahul has said that it was his idea for Virat Kohli to farm the strike to aid his bid in reaching three figures in the dying stages of India’s successful World Cup run chase against Bangladesh at Pune.

India’s fourth win of the 2023 World Cup finished in irregular circumstances with Kohli and Rahul declining easy singles when the target was reduced to its final 15 runs with Kohli unbeaten on 85. Not only were singles not run, but there was also a Bangladesh wide and a further marginal leg-side wide not given as Kohli approached the landmark.

In the end, Kohli launched Nasum Ahmed into the stands to bring up his 48th ODI hundred – taking him within one of Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 49 – and complete India’s fourth win from four games at this year’s World Cup.

Speaking after the game, Kohli, who was named player of the match said: “I wanted to make a big contribution. I’ve had a few fifties in World Cups and haven’t converted them so I just wanted to finish the game off this time around and hang around to the end, which is what I’ve done over the years for the team.”

Rahul, though, confirmed that it was his idea for Kohli to pursue the hundred with the result effectively in the bag. Talking after the game, Rahul said: “He was confused actually. He said ‘It’ll not look too nice not to take the single. It’s still a World Cup. It’s still a big stage. So I don’t want to look like I am just trying to get the milestone'”.

“But I said: ‘It’s not won, but I think we’ll win it quite easily so if you can get to the milestone, why not. You must try, and he did that at the end and I wasn’t going to run the singles anyway,” Rahul added.

India are currently second in the 2023 World Cup table, behind only New Zealand on Net Run Rate. The Black Caps are India’s next opponents; the top of the table clash will take place on Sunday in Dharamshala.

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