IND vs AUS Perth Test: KL Rahul bore the brunt of a bad luck in the first innings of the Perth Test. The stylish batter, who acted as a makeshift opener in the absence of Rohit Sharma, was unluckily dismissed. While he was out for 26 off 74, Rahul showed a great character in the field and provided a moment of brilliance. Just when Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne looked to rebuild after a hiccup, KL Rahul plucked a superb diving catch to dismiss the former.
Watch: KL Rahul take a diving catch
Mohammed Siraj produced a peach of a delivery that led to Mitchell Marsh’s dismissal. Bowling from back of a length around off stump, Siraj got the ball to angle in before it straightened after pitching. This movement proved too good for Marsh, who was squared up in his defensive attempt, resulting in a thick edge off his bat.
The edge was dying as it traveled towards the slip cordon, where KL Rahul, positioned at third slip, displayed exceptional reflexes. He dove to his left and managed to get his fingers underneath the ball, though there was some controversy as his fingers appeared to split when his hand touched the ground. After a careful review by the third umpire, who confirmed Rahul’s fingers were indeed under the ball, the catch was deemed clean. Marsh had to depart for 6 runs off 19 balls, with just one boundary to his name, marking Australia’s fifth wicket of the innings.
