In India's final Super 4 match at the Asia Cup 2022 against Afghanistan, vice-captain KL Rahul hit his first fifty in any format since rejoining the team following a protracted injury hiatus, but it was utterly eclipsed by Virat Kohli's record-breaking debut T20I hundred. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli took the field to open the batting for India after regular captain Rohit Sharma decided to take a break. The pair put together the highest opening partnership of the tournament (119 runs) in this iteration, laying the groundwork for India's second-largest T20I victory (in terms of run margin) by 101 runs. When KL Rahul arrived for the press conference following the game, it was anticipated that he would field numerous inquiries regarding Virat Kohli. So he did. But one particular question irked KL Rahul.
If Kohli can be tested as an opener even in the next competitions including the world considering he has a terrific at the top of the order in this format, a reporter asked the India opener, who was leading against Afghanistan in Rohit's absence. KL Rahul did not appreciate the question and responded in a crude manner before gathering himself and complimenting Kohli's innings.
Here is how the press conference exchange between KL Rahul and the reporter went.
Reporter: "Humne IPL mein bhi dekha hai ki open karte hue 5 shatak maar chuke hai. Aur aj bhi open karte hue hi unka shatak aya. Kya as a vice captain aap team management se jab baat karenge toh kya ye socha jeyaga looking ahead in Australia, South Africa series and also in World Cup, unko open karaya jay kyuki unhone pichle saal bhi kaha tha ki wo open karna chahte hai. (We've seen in in the IPL that Virat Kohli has hit five hundreds while opening the batting. (He scored a century today again while opening so as a vice-captain will you tell the team management that Kohli can be tried as an opener in the Australia and South Africa series and also in the World Cup?)
KL Rahul: "Toh kya main khud baith jau phir? Kamaal hai. (Are you suggesting that I should then sit out? Amazing)
Virat scoring runs is a huge bonus. The way that he has batted today it'll obviously... I know he is very pleased with his batting. The kind of way he has been working on his game, it has worked for him today. It also great for the team that before a World Cup every important player gets such innings under their belt. When you 2-3 such innings then your confidence is high. It gives us a chance to be our best selves in the World Cup."
When Rohit Sharma recovers, Kohli will essentially return to his previous position of batting at No. 3 in the upcoming home series against Australia, South Africa, and the T20 World Cup. Rahul, who smashed 62 off 41 balls, more-or-less confirmed this.
"Aap jante hai Virat Kohli ko. Sabne dekha hai itne salo se unko. (You all know Virat and have seen what he can do) It's not like he will only score hundreds when opening. Agar No.3 pe bhi ayenge toh 6-7 hundred waha bhi bana sakte hai. It's all about performing different roles in the team. He performed his role beautifully. The next series that we play, his role will be different. He will give his best, so there's no question about that," Speaking of the former India captain, who on Thursday scored the best individual T20I total for the nation with a scorching 122* off only 61 balls to lead India to a 101-run triumph over Afghanistan, Rahul stated