The right-handed batsman, opening for India A, was bowled between his legs by Australia A off-spinner leaving everyone amused; India A stutter to 73/5
08 Nov, 2024
KL Rahul’s chances of becoming the India opener in the first Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth suffered a massive blow after he was dismissed for just 10 on Friday in the second innings of India A vs Australia A second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
India A went to stumps at 73/5, just 11 runs ahead.
Abhimanyu Easwaran (17), Sai Sudharsan (3), Ruturaj Gaikwad (11), and Devdutt Padikkal (1) failed too.
Dhruv Jurel, who made a fighting 80, was batting on 19 while Nitish Reddy was unbeaten on nine.
It was the manner in which Rahul got dismissed that will probably hurt his chances. The right-handed batsman went back to off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli in the hope of trying to work the ball to the onside but decided to leave it since it was going down the leg. The ball hit his right pad and ricocheted onto the stumps.
“I don’t know how but he is out. KL, he is the latest… through the leg, off the pad and onto the off bail,” said the commentator who too seemed surprised.
“I just don’t know what he was thinking here,” said another commentator.
Earlier, Australia A ended their first innings at 223, with a lead of 62.
Marcus Harris strengthened his chances of opening the batting for Australia with Usman Khawaja with a 74.
Prasidh Krishna picked 4/50, Mukesh Kumar took 3/41, and Khaleel Ahmed got 2/56.
Rahul has been tipped to open the innings in the first Test beginning November 22 in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma who has taken leave and in uncertain about his availablity. Shubman Gill is the other name doing rounds for the opening spot.
Tags : KL Rahul, India A, Australia A, MCG, Melbourne, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal