[Watch] Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja React To KL Rahul's Goof-Up As Keeper
Ravindra Jadeja after KL Rahul's fielding blunder (x.com)
Team India, off the back of crafty half-centuries from openers Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad and suave run-chase specials from KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav catered themselves to an easy win over Australia in the first ODI of their three-match series.
Remarkably, the ‘Men in Blue’ achieved the same without fielding five of their front-line players, including senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
India’s seemingly convincing win, was, however, marred with momentary lapses on the field. One such fielding blunder occurred during the 23rd over of the Australian innings when interim skipper KL Rahul ended up missing an easy runout opportunity to dismiss a well-set Marnus Labuschagne.
Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar react to KL Rahul’s easy miss
Marnus Labuschagne pushed Ravindra Jadeja towards the off-side for a single in the first ball of the 23rd over. Suryakumar Yadav, stationed inside the 30-yard circle towards the region, intercepted the ball when Labuschagne was halfway outside the crease.
Yadav threw the ball back to his captain KL Rahul behind the stumps, who ended up making a mess of an easy runout opportunity. Rahul’s fielding blunder drew disappointing reactions from Yadav and Jadeja, while Labuschagne lived on to bat nearly 10 more overs in the innings.
Watch: Suryakumar and Ravindra Jadeja react to a missed runout
Labuschagne was eventually stumped by KL Rahul himself a while later to give comeback man Ravichandran Ashwin his first wicket of the innings.
The two sides will now lock horns in the second ODI of their three-match Pre-World Cup 2023 series in Indore on September 24.
 "Aakash Saini")
