Mohammad Shami, a Team India pacer, acknowledged that there was pressure on KL Rahul when he batted in the chase against Australia in the first One-Day International (ODI) on Friday, March 17 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Rahul was praised by the fast bowler for absorbing duress and performing a match-winning knock. Rahul Dravid top-scored with 75* off 91 deliveries as Team India won by five wickets in 39.5 overs.

At 83/5 in the 20th over, the visitors were in trouble. However, keeper-batsman Rahul Dravid and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (45* off 69 deliveries) added an unbroken 108 for the sixth wicket to help India win. Rahul was under intense surveillance ahead of the first One-Day International against Australia. After a run of poor red-ball scores, he was dropped from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy playing XI for the final two Tests.

"There is a lot of talk about being in form, being out of form, or being under pressure," Shami said in a post-match conference, praising Rahul's knock. But, from a player's (batter's) perspective, it's all about playing a good knock for the team and getting the team off to a positive start.We've all seen him pitch some excellent innings." "Sometimes your luck doesn't work," he continued. You attempt things, but nothing happens.

You start finding your rhythm after many days and the shots also start coming out beautifully. This stage occurs in the existence of a player. "There was certainly some pressure today because so many wickets fell early. It was great to see him execute under pressure." Rahul's unbeaten knock included seven fours and a six, giving India a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series.

While Rahul shined with the willow in the chase, Shami shone with the ball, taking 3/17 in six overs, two of which were maidens. In his second spell, he dismissed Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stoinis in quick sequence. "In the second spell, the ball was coming out well from the first delivery itself," the 32-year-old said of his impressive bowling effort.

Because they (the Australian batters) were playing on the back foot, my strategy was to bowl it higher up and aim for the edge. I also made a mistake in the second word. "The goal was to bowl in good areas while maintaining good lengths." Shami was also questioned about how the bowlers plan to manage their workload with the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup in mind during the interaction.

Shami concluded, "There is still time for the World Test Championship and the World Cup," despite the fact that it is too early to think about the major tournaments. As a competitor, you can't plan too far ahead. You have no idea what will transpire tomorrow. In terms of the World Cup, you must be strategic and focus on your abilities. You need to focus on your body. You must approach it match by match or, at most, tournament by tournament." Mohammed Siraj, Shami's pace bowling partner, also excelled with figures of 3/29 in 5.4 overs.