KL Rahul (Image credit: Agencies)
KL Rahul had a disappointing outing with the bat in the first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. The Indian batter managed just four runs across his two innings, with his second dismissal coming in an unusual fashion.Rahul failed to open his account in the first innings as India A were bowled out for 113. New Zealand A then piled up 317 runs to take a commanding 204-run lead.
India A needed their experienced batter to deliver in the second innings, but Rahul failed again. He scored just four runs off 15 balls before walking back after a bizarre hit-wicket dismissal.
How KL Rahul got out hit-wicket
Rahul's second-innings dismissal was an unusual one. Facing Fraser Sheat, he tried to play a delivery outside the off stump but ended up edging the ball back towards himself.As the ball rolled slowly towards the stumps, Rahul tried to stop it with his bat. However, while attempting to prevent the ball from hitting the wicket, he accidentally struck the off stump with his bat.
It initially looked like Rahul had been bowled, but the replays told a different story. The ball was not going to hit the stumps. Rahul's attempt to stop it resulted in him dislodging the wicket, and he was given out hit-wicket.
The right-handed batter looked visibly frustrated as he made his way back to the pavilion. Sheat had dismissed him for the second time in the match, leaving Rahul with scores of zero and four.
Fraser Sheat dismisses Rahul twice
Rahul's first-innings dismissal was equally disappointing. Sheat bowled a delivery outside off stump that moved away, tempting the Indian batter into playing a big drive.Rahul went after the ball without moving his feet enough and edged it to wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay, who made no mistake with the catch.He departed for a duck after facing eight balls. India A's batting line-up then collapsed, with the team managing just 113 runs.Rahul's second failure added to India's problems as they looked to recover from the 204-run deficit.
India vs New Zealand schedule
India A and New Zealand A are scheduled to play three unofficial Tests. The second match will begin on October 31, followed by the third and final game from November 7.After the unofficial Test series, the senior Indian team will face New Zealand in a two-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled to start in Wellington on November 19, while the second will begin in Christchurch on November 27.