Australia vs India: KL Rahul smacks Pat Cummins for a six over sweeper cover
It was hit with such nonchalance from Rahul that Cummins had no option but to walk back to his bowling run-up.
KL Rahul might have done a service to his sliding career at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, just as he had done at the Oval in September. The opening batsman came out strong in India’s second innings after the visitors ensured a crucial 15-run lead over Australia. The 26-year-old batsman put up 63 runs with his opening partner Murali Vijay (18) to give India the start they needed and even after Vijay perished, Rahul went on, scoring 44.
India, who are in the hunt of their maiden Test series victory Down Under, did well to come back into the game after facing a batting debacle on Day 1 after Virat Kohli won a rare toss and elected to bat. After Cheteshwar Pujara’s 123 saved the visitors from the embarrassment of getting bundled out inside the first day, the visiting side’s bowlers performed well to peg the Australians back. Though Travis Head scored a resilient 72 and was assisted by a stubborn lower order, the hosts were all out for 235, falling 15 short of India’s score of 250.
The Indian openers ensured that they did not squander the advantage and held on the fort to add to their lead. The partnership of Rahul and Vijay played over 18 overs together to put up 63 runs and in this time, the former played some good shots, including an incredible six, giving a glimpse of the talent he possesses as a batsman.
A lofted drive from Rahul was a treat to eyes
It was the first delivery of the 15th over which was bowled by pacer Pat Cummins. The ball was overpitched with width and Rahul lofted it straight over the sweeper cover. It was a shot which is not rare to see in the limited-overs but not so much in red-ball cricket. Rohit Sharma, who was sitting in the pavilion for his turn to bat, would have been glad as he played a similar shot against the same bowler in the first innings during his knock of 37.
Rahul though fell to Josh Hazlewood as he was caught behind by Tim Paine in the 25th over. The openers did their job. Now, it is for India’s much vaunted middle order to take over and drive home the advantage.
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