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KL Rahul's sluggish glovework was on display during the ODI series opener between India and Australia in Mohali on Friday, September 22 where Mohammed Shami's breakthrough was slightly marred by a missed fielding opportunity.
Team India, having elected to bowl first, found themselves under pressure with Steve Smith and David Warner's formidable 94-run partnership for the second wicket. While the duo was proving difficult to dislodge, India's persistence paid off in the 19th over when spinner Ravindra Jadeja secured Warner's wicket. Not too long after, in the 22nd over, Shami demonstrated his prowess by dismissing former Australian skipper, Steve Smith. India seemed to be gaining momentum.
However, as the game transitioned into the 23rd over, India missed a golden opportunity to tighten the noose around Australia. Jadeja, in his fourth over, sent a flighted ball towards Marnus Labuschagne. Responding with a quick shot towards cover, Labuschagne ambitiously aimed for a single. Positioned at the cover, Suryakumar Yadav intervened, creating confusion between Labuschagne and Cameron Green.
With Labuschagne caught mid-pitch, a quick throw to wicketkeeper KL Rahul seemed like the surefire way to claim another Australian wicket. Yet, to the astonishment of many, Rahul made a big goof up as couldn't hold onto the ball, providing Labuschagne an easy escape. The sight of this lazy glovework left Jadeja and Suryakumar shell-shocked.
Weighing in on this goof up moment, former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar remarked, "The throw wasn't the greatest but it still had to be collected. So nothing went right for India." Meanwhile another commentator said Rahul should be blamed for the mistake. He said, “It is a little bit lazy from Rahul. He just took his eye off it and did not bend down."
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However, the 33rd over saw Labuschagne returning to pavilion after scoring 39 off 49 to leave Australia reeling at 157/4. Later, Cameron Green to followed Labuschagne's path and was dismissed in the 40th over at the score of 31. Australia ended up posting a total of 276 after Shami's fiery five-wicket haul.
India Playing XI
Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w/c), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
Australia Playing XI
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Pat Cummins(c), Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa
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