KL Rahul misses run-out chance, accidentally stumps Labuschagne; fans react

India and Australia are locking horns in the first ODI of the three-match series on Friday, September 22 at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Indian captain KL Rahul won the toss and invited Australia to bat first on a good batting track. The Pat Cummins-led side got off to good start as they were 157/3 after 32.3 overs.

However, in the same over, KL Rahul inflicted a strange dismissal to draw curtains on Marnus Labuschagne’s innings and give Australia their fourth blow. On the fourth ball of the over, bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin, Labuschagne tried to reverse sweep but ended up getting an edge. Skipper Rahul failed to grab the ball which ricocheted on the stumps after hitting his pads. There was wide confusion all around as India appealed and on-field umpires asked the third umpire to make a decision.

The replays showed that Labuschagne was out of his crease when the ball hit the stumps which resulted in his unfortunate stumping. 

Notably, KL Rahul’s keeping has been under the scanner throughout the game as he missed several chances during the first innings of the match. He first missed a run-out chance during the 23^rd over after failing to collect a throw at the striker’s end to run out Marnus Labuschagne.

Further ahead in the game, Rahul further failed to collect the ball as it passed through him during the 40^th over of the innings. The misfield, however, worked in India’s favour as it resulted in a run out of Cameron Green (31 off 52).

Ravichandran Ashwin gets his first wicket on ODI comeback

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin got the first wicket on his comeback to the ODI team after 21 months by dismissing Labuschagne. The off-spinner last played an ODI in January 2022 vs South Africa and has comeback to the squad as a backup for Axar Patel who’s recovering from a left quadriceps strain. Ashwin could also be drafted into the World Cup 2023 squad if Patel fails to recover in time.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on KL Rahul's keeping. Here are some of the posts:

How KL Rahul stumped Labuschagne#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/l2I6dRXbRP

— Gurdeep guru (@Gurdeepgurus) September 22, 2023

Fans to KL Rahul #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/QJtMMRkfz1

— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) September 22, 2023

@BCCI KL rahul is faster than MS dhoni now

— ajas.k.joseph (@ajaskjoseph) September 22, 2023

It's almost the end of the innings and I haven't seen KL Rahul collect a ball cleanly😂 he's our keeper for the World Cup😭 #INDvsAUS #KLRahul

— 𝗚𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿❄️ (@GunRoaster) September 22, 2023

Imagine missing this easy chance!! @klrahul even a school boy can do better wicket keeping.#INDvsAUS #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/epMNI6vAHU

— The Dude (@PuntingDude) September 22, 2023

Why #KLRahul is the wicketkeeper? He is not fit for this role.#BCCI#WorldCup2023#INDvsAUS

— Sanjeev (@Sanjeevsinghr12) September 22, 2023

Kl rahul shit wicket keeper

— Alan Thomas (@alanthomas1143) September 22, 2023

Shardul Thakur and Suryakumar Yadav both are not ODI cricketers. They can just play T20 games. India wasting good talents just to promote high value names. Even KL Rahul should not keep as he is very casual back of the stumps. #INDvsAUS @BCCI

— Kasim shaikh (@kasimrox) September 22, 2023

ICYMI

Direct-Hit Alert!

Confusion in the middle & @surya_14kumar gets the throw right to dismiss Cameron Green.#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Alg6Avxyif

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

after that idiots comparison, he couldn't even gather balls properly!! I really wonder why BCCI is hell bent on making him a keeper, let him be a proper batsman first, now u have a genuine keeper in team, let him keep the wicket, nearly 10-15 fumbles already today #BanManjrekar

— champc3827 (@champc3827) September 22, 2023

KL Rahul getting wickets because of his misfields: pic.twitter.com/jxcnxSD6qp

— Arvind (@airwind_ac) September 22, 2023