KL Rahul showcased his exceptional fielding skills with a sharp catch that led to the dismissal of Australia’s Mitchell Starc on Day 2 of the fifth Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4. Rahul’s awareness and quick reflexes played a pivotal role in sending Starc back to the pavilion at a crucial moment in Australia’s innings.
After Australia resumed their innings on Day 2 with a precarious score of 9-1, India’s bowlers continued to apply pressure. Starc, coming in at number nine with his team struggling at 162-7, could not make a significant impact with the bat. The dismissal occurred in the 47th over when Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled a well-directed back-of-a-length delivery to Starc.
In an attempt to defend, Starc’s bat made contact with the ball, sending it towards Rahul at second slip. The ball initially appeared to die in the slip, but Rahul, with quick reflexes, dived forward and caught it cleanly. Although the on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire, the catch was confirmed as legitimate, and Starc walked off after scoring just one run from four balls.
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With Mitchell Starc’s dismissal, Australia was reduced to 8-164. KL Rahul’s alertness in the field was a key highlight, adding to India’s impressive bowling display. On Day 2, India’s bowlers were on top, with Jasprit Bumrah taking the first breakthrough early in the morning. He dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for just two runs after a caught-behind decision was confirmed with the help of DRS.
EDGED & GONE! ☝#NitishKumarReddy adds two to the wickets column as #PatCummins & #MitchellStarc depart in quick succession! 🔥#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 2 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/Y5LjMS1FWN
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 4, 2025
Next, Sam Konstas fell to Mohammad Siraj, who took an edge from the Australian debutant to Yashasvi Jaiswal in the gully. Siraj struck again by removing Travis Head, with KL Rahul taking another catch at second slip. Steve Smith was dismissed for 5 runs, falling just short of his 10,000 career runs.
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Beau Webster and Alex Carey tried to build a partnership, but India continued to take wickets. Prasidh Krishna took the crucial wicket of Carey, and India finished the job with a relentless display of bowling, taking the last five wickets. Despite Bumrah being off the field due to injury, India bowled Australia out for 181 runs, leaving a narrow four-run lead. Siraj and Krishna shared three wickets each, while Bumrah picked up two.
Webster was the standout batter for Australia, scoring 57 runs off 115 balls, but his efforts weren’t enough to save Australia from a modest first-innings total.
