'Still hurts' - KL Rahul's emotional post on social media after India's World Cup heartache

India suffered a crushing blow in the World Cup 2023 finals against Australia, shattering their near-perfect tournament journey. Amidst the buzz of conjecture among cricket aficionados about what could have been, the players grapple with defeat. The Indian wicket-keeper, KL Rahul, expressed his sorrow on Instagram, highlighting the lingering pain of the loss, and underscoring how deeply it still stings.

Here's Rahul's latest post on Instagram:

Rahul, India's standout performer in the 2023 World Cup, faced scrutiny for his methodical innings during the final against Australia in Ahmedabad. Despite amassing 66 runs off 107 balls, his innings drew criticism due to 49 dot balls and a predominantly singles-oriented approach. This critique came despite his stellar contributions throughout the tournament.

The Karnataka batter’s blazing century off 62 balls against the Netherlands showcased his explosive batting prowess, setting a new record for the fastest century by an Indian in World Cup history. His pivotal knock in the tournament opener against Australia, where he scored an unbeaten 97, highlighted his ability to anchor the team's innings.

Shoaib Malik criticises Rahul’s conservative approach in World Cup finals 

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik expressed reservations about the 31-year-old's approach in the final, suggesting a lack of proactive intent during his innings. While acknowledging his consistency and past performances, the critique centred on the necessity for a more aggressive strategy, especially in a high-stakes match like the World Cup final.

“He has been taking a lot of responsibility when India lose quick wickets up front. If you will see his today’s innings 66 off 107 balls, it was not a KL Rahul innings. He went into a zone, where he only wanted to play the whole fifty overs. He should have been a little more proactive,” Malik said on A Sports

India’s impressive run, winning 10 consecutive matches, elevated Rahul's stature as a key player, but the final's approach prompted discussions about balancing stability with a more assertive batting style in crucial moments. Amidst the criticism, the fans are debating over his overall contributions throughout the tournament that remained integral to India's journey to the pinnacle clash.