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India defeated rivals Pakistan by 228 runs in the Asia Cup Super Four clash after Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul stitched an unbeaten 233-run partnership for the third wicket on Monday. Kohli and Rahul's swashbuckling partnership, the highest stand in the Asia Cup, was the highlight of the game alongside leggie Kuldeep Yadav's fifer which ensured there was no fightback from Pakistan.
Meanwhile, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag's tweet appreciating Kohli and Rahul for their innings has garnered much attention as he said 'Bharat' instead of India and used the hashtag #BHAvsPAK.
"Amazing Bharat. Thatís the way to do it. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were unstoppable. Congratulations to Virat for 13000 ODI runs. #BHAvsPAK," the retired firebrand opener's post on X (formerly Twitter) read alongside the images of two batters.
Amazing Bharat. That’s the way to do it.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 11, 2023
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were unstoppable. Congratulations to Virat for 13000 ODI runs. #BHAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/w53XKjHfgJ
Sehwag had earlier entered the "Bharat vs India" debate on X, urging the BCCI to use Bharat, which is the country's "original name" on the team's jerseys for the ICC ODI World Cup.
India is a name given by the British & it has been long overdue to get our original name ëBharatí back officially," Sehwag had posted on September 5, Tuesday.
I have always believed a name should be one which instills pride in us.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023
We are Bhartiyas ,India is a name given by the British & it has been long overdue to get our original name ‘Bharat’ back officially. I urge the @BCCI @JayShah to ensure that this World Cup our players have… https://t.co/R4Tbi9AQgA
After his comments, the World Cup winner explained that he had no political agenda. ìSpeaking heart out is different from political aspiration. My only interest is ìBharat,î he had posted.
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Sehwag's tweet applauding Kohli and Rahul has so far received over 112K reactions.
Kohli made 122 not out off 94 balls and Rahul remained unbeaten on 111 off 106. India raised the tempo amid the threat of more showers and cruised to the 300-run mark in 45 overs before Rahul - who made the team due to Shreyas Iyer's back issue - reached his sixth hundred. Kohli then became the fifth batsman and the quickest to make 13,000 runs in the format and celebrated his century shortly afterwards, pumping his fists before raising his hands to huge roars at the R. Premadasa Stadium. He finished with a flourish, carting Faheem Ashraf for two fours - including one off a free hit - and a huge shot over the ropes at the end of the final over.
India, whose group match with Pakistan in Pallekele this month was abandoned due to rain, take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
