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How Mitchell Starc Exposed KL Rahul's Defense In IND Vs AUS 2nd Test

Rajgeeta Yadav

KL Rahul departs against Australia [Source: @InsideSportIND/X.com]KL Rahul departs against Australia [Source: @InsideSportIND/X.com]

India star KL Rahul opened for Team India after Rohit Sharma demoted himself down the batting order in the second Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. However, his innings were cut short as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who had already been on fire, trapped the Karnataka batter. 

Mitchell Starc Wreak Havoc Against India

Mitchell Starc was in exceptional form during the match, especially with the pink ball in hand. He set the tone early by dismissing India’s young opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, for a golden duck, giving Australia the perfect start. Despite losing Jaiswal early, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul steadied the innings with calm and composed batting. However, Starc’s relentless bowling kept the Indian batters under pressure throughout. 

KL Rahul Fooled By Starc's Match Awareness

In the 19th over of India’s innings, Starc’s brilliance came to the fore. On the second and third deliveries of the over, he bowled good-of-a-length deliveries outside off stump. KL Rahul confidently played them on the front foot. But Starc, known for his game awareness, adjusted his strategy.

The next ball was a back-of-a-length delivery on the off stump that climbed awkwardly off the pitch, angled across Rahul and he attempted to play it off the back foot but ultimately decided to leave it. Unfortunately for him, the ball struck high on his bat and flew straight to Nathan McSweeney at gully. McSweeney pulled off a superb catch, sending KL Rahul back to the pavilion for 37 runs off 64 balls.

After the fall of early wickets, India were at 82/4 after 23 overs at lunch.