'A schoolboy can do better' - Fans rip apart Shreyas Iyer-KL Rahul after poor fielding during 1st ODI vs Australia

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul gave lives to David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne respectively.

By Rishabh Beniwal

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KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer
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KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer (Photo Source: twitter)

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. India captain KL Rahul has won the toss and invited Australia to bat first. The decision was vindicated by fast bowler Mohammed Shami who got the team off to a rollicking start by dismissing the in-form Mitchell Marsh (4 off 4) in the first over itself.

After the early dismissal, Steve Smith (41 off 60) and David Warner (52 off 53) stabilised the Australian innings with their 94-run stand off 106 balls. However, during their partnership, Warner was given a life by Shreyas Iyer in the ninth over of the innings bowled by Shardul Thakur.

On the last ball of the over, the Australian opener miscued a shot as he chipped the ball in the air straight to Shreyas Iyer. However, the Indian fielder dropped the easiest of catches to give a life to Warner on 14.

Further ahead in the innings, during the 23rd over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul missed a chance to run out the in-form Marnus Labuschagne on 11. On the first ball of the over, Labuschagne pushed the ball towards cover and looked for a single. However, Suryakumar Yadav managed to stop it inside the 30-yard circle with both batters stranded in the middle of the pitch.

Sensing a run-out chance, Suryakumar quickly threw the ball towards the striker’s end, however, captain KL Rahul failed to collect it as Labuschagne survived.

India have second worst catch efficiency rate since 2019 World Cup

Notably, India’s fielding has attracted a lot of scrutiny from fans and experts due to their repeated mistakes in the field. During the Asia Cup 2023 as well, Indian fielders shelled down several catches during their group fixture vs Nepal. Following that game, India’s poor catch efficiency rate went viral all over social media as the Rohit Sharma-led side had the second-worst rate of 75.1% since the 2019 World Cup. It was only second worst to Afghanistan who have a catch efficiency rate of 71.2%.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on India’s poor fielding. Here are some of the posts:

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India vs Australia 2023IndiaAustraliaKL RahulShreyas Iyer