KL Rahul stepped up in the first T20I againt Australia at Mohali’s PCA Stadium on Tuesday. The Indian opener smashed a half-century in 32 balls. 

He was dismissed on 55 off 35 balls, leaving India at 103/3 in the 12th over. 

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Rahul has been out of form for a while. The star batter, who captains the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL, finished the Asia Cup 2022 with 132 runs in five innings at an average of 26.40 and strike rate of 122.22. The opener failed to capitalise on starts and struggled against both pace and spin. 

However, on Tuesday, Rahul, who was being trolled for his poor form, smashed three boundaries and as many sixes on way to his half-century. 

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He also completed 2000 runs in T20Is. The batter is the third quickest ever and has a 40+ average and 140+ strike rate.

Rahul’s first six came off pacer Josh Hazlewood in the third over. The batter walked across his stumps, took a step down the pitch and got under ball before smoking it over cow corner. 

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He then hit Cameron Green for a 92m six over backward square leg. The 30-year-old also smashed spinner Glenn Maxwell for a maximum over mid-wicket. 

KL Rahul was dismissd trying to hit Josh Hazlewood for a boundary over deep square leg. Nathan Ellis took the catch. The batter hit four boundaries and three sixes during his 35-ball stay at the crease. 

Social media users praised Rahul for his brilliant knock. 

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“Well played, KL Rahul. He scored 55 runs from 35 balls including 4 fours and 3 sixes against Australia in the first T20I match. Superb innings from a class player,” a Twitter user said. 

“At some point, someone advised KL Rahul to abandon his natural game and play the anchor role.I do know a clue who that person is, but… I hope KL does not take their advice AGAIN. This is what he can do. This is what he is best at. I just hope he bats like he did tonight,” another one added.