The Indian opener's poor form continues as he is caught out by Australia's Mitchell Starc at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Despite being demoted to No. 3 in the previous test, Rahul couldn't make much of a difference and was once again dismissed cheaply. Fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also fell early, leaving India in a tough spot at 17 for 2. Australia's Scott Boland took the wickets of both Rahul and Jaiswal in quick succession.
KL Rahul's Woes Continue: Caught Out by Mitchell Starc at SCG
Indian opener KL Rahul's struggles with the bat escalated in the ongoing second Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On a rain-affected day, Rahul was dismissed cheaply by Mitchell Starc, continuing his poor form that has plagued him since his return to the national side.
Background
Rahul, who missed the first Test due to injury, was demoted to No. 3 in the batting order for the second Test. The move was intended to ease the pressure on the opener and allow him to regain his form. However, Rahul's struggles persisted, as he failed to make a significant contribution in both innings of the Test.
In the first innings, Rahul was caught behind by Alex Carey off Josh Hazlewood for just 17. In the second innings, he was dismissed in similar fashion by Mitchell Starc, departing for 18. Rahul's lack of runs has raised concerns about his place in the Indian team, especially with talented youngsters like Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw waiting in the wings.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the reason behind KL Rahul's poor form?
Rahul's current form slump has been attributed to several factors, including a lack of match practice due to injury and a technical flaw in his batting, which some experts believe has made him more vulnerable to the short ball.
2. Will KL Rahul be dropped from the Indian team?
It is too early to say whether Rahul will be dropped from the Indian team, but his poor form has certainly put his place in the side under scrutiny. The selectors will likely review his performance after the ongoing series and make a decision based on his form and the team's requirements.
3. Who could replace KL Rahul in the Indian team?
If Rahul is dropped, several potential replacements are available, including Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Mayank Agarwal. All three players have performed well in domestic cricket and are considered to be talented batsmen with the potential to succeed at the international level.
4. What are KL Rahul's career highlights?
Rahul is a talented batsman who has played 42 Tests, 49 ODIs, and 58 T20Is for India. He has scored over 2,000 runs in Test cricket, including six centuries. Rahul is also a successful batsman in ODIs and T20Is, with over 2,800 and 1,800 runs, respectively.
5. What does the future hold for KL Rahul?
Rahul's future in the Indian team will depend on his ability to regain his form and prove his worth at the international level. If he can overcome his current struggles, he has the potential to be a valuable asset to the team for many years to come. However, if his poor form continues, he may find it difficult to hold onto his place in a competitive Indian batting lineup.
The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals is set to be an exciting match-up as Arsenal and Newcastle face off. The Gunners are looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, but they'll have to navigate without key players against a confident Newcastle side. With a lineup that includes Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Isak, both teams will be vying for the advantage before their trip to St. James' Park. Catch all the action for free on ITV and ITVX in the UK.
The second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is set to take place in Hamilton and promises to be an action-packed match. With players like Rachin Ravindra and Will Young leading the teams, fans can expect thrilling performances on the field. Make sure to tune in for updates and coverage on Sportstar.
In the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United. The Gunners were only able to register three shots on target, leaving Arteta disappointed with their lack of clinical finishing. He highlighted Gabriel Martinelli's missed opportunity in the first half as a turning point in the match, as Newcastle went on to secure a two-goal lead and a strong advantage heading into the second leg. With only two teams in the competition's history failing to progress after winning the first leg away from home, Arteta and his team face a daunting task as they aim to turn the tie around in the return fixture.
Newcastle United took a big step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 win against Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final match. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both scored for the Magpies, who are seeking their first major trophy since 1969. While Arsenal have been on form in the Premier League, they struggled to keep up with Isak's impressive performance in this crucial match.
As Derrick Henry, star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, celebrates his 30th birthday, he selflessly donated his game-worn and signed cleats to raise awareness for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Partnering with the Axe ALS Foundation, Henry shared a post on his Instagram story encouraging fans to join the cause and participate in a giveaway to win the one-of-a-kind cleats. This generous gesture comes just before a crucial match against the Cleveland Browns, where fans are eager to see Henry perform on the field once again.
After sitting out the win against Brentford due to illness, Arsenal striker Kai Havertz is set to make a comeback for their upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the German is ready to return to the squad and may feature in the starting line-up. Additionally, there is positive news regarding Raheem Sterling and Takehiro Tomiyasu's return from injury, while Ben White is progressing well in his recovery and could make an early comeback.
The January transfer window is yet to see any big deals, but that could all change if Chelsea's plans to sell players to finance the return of Marc Guehi are successful. Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle are also expected to be active in the market, while teams in the relegation battle will be looking to strengthen. Stay tuned to Express Sport for all the latest transfer updates.
In their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg match against Newcastle, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 loss at home. Despite having 23 shots and generating 3.09 expected goals, Arsenal failed to score, with just three shots on target. Manager Mikel Arteta attributed part of the team's poor finishing to the difference in the ball used in this competition – made by Puma – compared to the one used in the Premier League, which is manufactured by Nike.
In a thrilling match, Newcastle emerged victorious with a 2-0 away win over Arsenal in the first leg. However, there were questions raised over Alexander Isak's opening goal, with suggestions of a push on Martin Odegaard being missed by VAR. Despite this, Isak brushed off any accusations, stating it was just part of the game. Arsenal's coaching staff also came under scrutiny for not marking Isak, who has been in top form recently. Will Newcastle hold on to their advantage in the second leg? That remains to be seen.
As the January transfer window opens, Arsenal are on the lookout for a new striker and their interest seems to be focused on Wolves' Matheus Cunha. The Gunners are in need of more goalscoring options, with midfielder Bukayo Saka their top contributor and out injured. While they have been linked with other attacking players, many are keeping an eye on the red-hot Cunha, who has already netted 10 goals for strugglers Wolves this season. However, the striker's recent involvement in unsavoury scenes after a match could hinder a potential move, with Cunha avoiding a longer suspension thanks to some luck.