In the 13th over of the Australian innings, the stand-in India captain Hardik Pandya bowled a delivery wide of the off-stump to Smith, who tried to play through the point region but only managed to get an outside edge. Rahul dived to his right and completed the catch with precision.
Rahul’s catch was a significant turning point in the first innings, as it helped India restrict Australia to 188 in 35.4 overs. Before Smith’s dismissal, the Aussie skipper and Mitchell Marsh had orchestrated a crucial 72-run partnership for the second wicket, but the Indian team’s fielding and catching were exceptional throughout the game.
India had won the toss and elected to field first. Right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj drew first blood for the Men in Blue by dismissing Travis Head for just five runs. Although Marsh and Smith steadied the Australian innings, Rahul’s catch and other excellent fielding performances helped the Indian bowling unit in bundling out the touring party for a below-par total.
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Mohammed Shami and Siraj picked three wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik and Kuldeep Yadav shared four scalps among them.
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