KL Rahul's Bizarre Dismissal Leaves India A Shaky in Second Unofficial Test

KL Rahul's dismal batting form continued in the second unofficial Test against Australia A, leaving India A in a precarious position. Rahul, who is vying for an opening spot in the Indian Test team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, managed a mere 14 runs across two innings, including a bizarre dismissal in the second innings.

After bowling out India A for 161 on the opening day, Australia A posted 223, giving them a 62-run first-innings lead. However, India A's top-order faltered in their second innings, with Rahul falling in an embarrassing fashion.

Facing 44 deliveries, Rahul misjudged a tossed-up delivery and failed to offer a shot. The ball ricocheted off his pads and onto the stumps, leaving him bewildered as he trudged back to the pavilion. This dismissal between the legs further compounded his struggles ahead of the crucial Test series.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was selected as a backup opener for the upcoming tour of Australia, also failed to impress. After a first-innings duck, he managed only 17 runs in the second innings. The Indian top-order struggled against the quality spin and pace of the Australian bowlers, leaving them at 56/5 early in the second innings.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (19 batting) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (9 batting) ensured there were no further setbacks, negotiating the remaining overs before stumps were drawn for the day.

Earlier, India A's pace attack, led by Prasidh Krishna's four-wicket burst and Mukesh Kumar's three-wicket haul, dominated the Australian batting, dismissing them for 223 in 62.1 overs. Marcus Harris was the standout batter for Australia A, scoring a gritty 74 off 138 balls.

In response, India A lost openers Abhimanyu and Sai Sudharsan cheaply to disciplined bowling from Nathan McAndrew and Beau Webster. Abhimanyu's misreading of McAndrew's pace led to his dismissal at gully, adding to the team's concerns. Devdutt Padikkal (1) also fell cheaply, as both Webster (2/14) and McAndrew (2/22) tore through India's batting lineup.

However, Jurel and Reddy then held firm, ensuring India A ended the day on 73/5, still trailing by 11 runs.

Tags: #KL, Rahul, #India, A, #Australia