Asia Cup 2018: Apologetic KL Rahul regrets not keeping review for Dhoni

Afghanistan bounced back from the face of defeat to hold India to a thrilling draw in the Super Four encounter of the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai on Tuesday.

India had started well – that was after Mohammad Shahzad had smashed a brilliant hundred to help his side register 252 on board – with Ambati Rayudu and KL Rahul putting up a century stand for the first wicket. But a slick turn of events, including the review waste by Rahul when he was caught plumb in front of the wicket, put India on a spot of bother. Ravindra Jadeja then battled hard taking India to one-run away from victory before holing out to the deep as both sides settled out for a thrilling tie.

Twitter was mighty impressed with Afghanistan’s efforts but at the same was lashed out at Rahul for wasting a needless review, which led to MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik getting out to poor decisions with no review to save themselves.

#INDvAFG tweets from Indians is nothing but pure delight and fondness. They are more happier than us for our teams performance. pic.twitter.com/FA37CvkE9C

— محمد نبي ځدراڼ‎ (@MNabiZadran) September 25, 2018

“It’s history for Afghanistan because we have never played such cricket before in Asia Cup” – a proud Asghar Afghan reflects on his team’s big show.#INDvAFG REACTION ⬇️https://t.co/qHTmkEJeQ5 pic.twitter.com/Wb2YPFEkon

— ICC (@ICC) September 26, 2018

Afghanistan deserved this. A tie but in all fairness they have played unbelievably well and are a force to reckon with. Afghanistan must be very proud , they have some real winners #IndvAfg

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 25, 2018

This must be a special day for @ACBofficials . Securing a tie against Team India is a monumental achievement and every Afghanistan player can be very proud of their grit and fight. There is something special in this Afghanistan team, have been most impressivein Asia Cup #INDvAFG

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 25, 2018

Rahul was struck right in front of the wicket when he attempted a reverse sweep off Rashid Khan in the 21^st over but after a long discussion with the non-striker Dinesh Karthik went for the review. It didn’t help as the opener not just was given out but also wasted the one review that India had.

It paid a big price in the latter stage of the match when Dhoni and after him Karthik was given out wrongly on LBW, hampering India’s chance to cruise to a victory.

He (Rahul) was apologetic later at the post-match press conference. “It’s very tricky when you have just one review with you. Obviously, looking back at it, I felt like I shouldn’t have taken the review but at that time, in the middle, I felt like maybe I was struck outside and I wanted to take that chance.

“Sometimes you can sit back here and review the review you took. We learn with it. The shot I played, the review that I took, I’ll have to go back and maybe if it happens again I’ll be in a better position to know. I don’t think we crumbled. When the ball starts slowing and spinning like that, it is hard for middle order batsmen to come in and get the runs going. I think DK (Dinesh Karthik) played really well and in the end, Jadeja and Deepak put up a decent fight,” he added.

But it still could not spare him for the wrath of the netizens.

?No Sound On Ultra Edge
?Was Missing The Stumps

If KL Rahul Wouldn’t Have Wasted That Review, MS Dhoni Would’ve Been Notout And Still On The Crease. #INDvsAFG #INDvAFG #AFGvIND #AFGvsIND pic.twitter.com/wkDetLtHco

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 25, 2018

Dear @ICC, please raise the standards of umpiring in international matches. Pathetic!#INDvAFG #AsiaCup2018

— SirCaustic_Soda (@SirCaustic_Soda) September 25, 2018

KL Rahul was also famous for wasting reviews in recent Test Series Against England

Selfish Player#INDvAFG

— Dharmesh (@Mumbaiikar) September 25, 2018

Legends take review to save themselves :;)

Ultra -legends take review to
Out two batsmen :;)#KLRahul #INDvAFG

— Abhishek Kumar (@Alwaysheru) September 25, 2018

India has already reached the final of the 2018 Asia Cup. Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in a virtual semi-final on Wednesday.