India found themselves staring down the barrel when they walked out on Day 4 of the third Border Gavaskar Trophy Test, at the Gabba on Tuesday. Their score read a sorry 51/4 in pursuit of the hosts’ daunting first innings total of 445 runs in the first innings, a monumental task given how the top-order crumbled the previous evening in the face of sustained bowling brilliance from the opposition pace attack with the new ball. KL Rahul had emerged as the Men in Blue’s only reliable presence in the chaos as he racked up an elegant 33 runs while no other batter crossed into double digits, and the veteran had the responsibility of getting India off the mark on Day 4 with Rohit Sharma stationed at the other end.
However, on the very first delivery he faced, disaster nearly struck. Pat Cummins, Australia’s spearhead, delivered a probing length delivery that jumped slightly off the surface and drew a loose push from Rahul. The ball flew to Steve Smith, stationed at second slip, with the Aussie hardly having to move as the Kookaburra approached his mitts. It was a straightforward chance by any standards, but inexplicably, Smith shelled it. The catch burst through his hands, leaving the Australians as well as KL stunned. The Indian batter immediately put his hand up to his heart in relief while Smith stared at the ground in disbelief, unable to digest the potential consequences of the simple drop.
Twitterati was quick to get on Smith’s back in the aftermath.
Miracle!!
Absolute sitter
Dropped, first ball! 🫣
Smith puts down the chance and Rahul gets a life #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/IHEkZ4TkSq— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 16, 2024
KL Rahul’s catch dropped on 1st ball of Day 4 by Steve Smith off Pat Cummins
Please make it count now ffs 👊#KLRahul #AUSvIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/ogZ8ni9WEJ— Prateek (@prateek_295) December 16, 2024
Seriously!
Crazy
And Steve Smith drops KL Rahul on the first ball of the day !!!
It was a sitter !! #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #Gill #Jaiswal #ViratKohli #Pujara
pic.twitter.com/I4D4hw0yPz— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) December 17, 2024
“DROPPED AN ABSOLUTE SODA!” 🫣
Steve Smith gives KL Rahul a lifeline with the FIRST BALL of the day 😳 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/JIAIDq0ZKT— Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) December 17, 2024
Survive
Life line
Kl Rahul dropped on first ball of day #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/dBuiPjyvKJ
— Rohit Baliyan (@rohit_balyan) December 17, 2024
Smith dropped Rahul, first ball! #AUSvIND
pic.twitter.com/2AI2uvIXHF— M (@anngrypakiistan) December 17, 2024
The best
KL Rahul has undoubtedly been India’s best batter in the BGT. While his selection raised questions before the series, it’s proven a masterstroke in hindsight. His ability to spend time at the crease mattered more than just runs. #INDvsAUS
pic.twitter.com/a7cYSjhnxM— Drop_in cricket (@drop_incricket) December 16, 2024
