Anil Kumble’s Reaction After KL Rahul’s Wicket In 2nd Innings Goes Viral | Watch | Cricket News

Anil Kumble’s reaction after KL Rahul’s wicket goes viral. (Picture Credit: Screengrab, AP)

KL Rahul opened the second innings for India in Guwahati on Tuesday (November 25), but the right-handed batter from Karnataka could only manage to score 6 runs from 29 balls for the Rishabh Pant-led side in the 549-run chase. He was sent back to the pavilion by Simon Harmer. On the second ball of the 10th over of the run chase, Harmer bowled a beauty which Rahul had no answer for.

Former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble was doing commentary for Star Sports in Hindi at the time of Rahul’s dismissal, and the legendary spinner looked visibly frustrated. His reaction after KL Rahul’s wicket is now going viral on the internet.

Indian team management and fans had high hopes from Rahul in the 549-run chase, but the 33-year-old batter, who will lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, disappoints.

Kumble analysed Rahul’s dismissal later and criticised his technique and decision-making under pressure.

“I think it was a fantastic delivery by Simon, no doubt. But KL went for the shot without getting to the pitch of the ball. Because of the revolutions Simon Harmer put on the ball, he got a bit of dip, and the line was perfect,” he said.

“Generally, on a fourth- or fifth-day pitch with enough rough, you tend to cover all three stumps because LBW is unlikely from that angle—the impact is usually outside off-stump. That’s why I was a bit surprised. KL Rahul is experienced. He did take centre-stump guard, but his off-stump was still visible,” he added.

“Ideally, if you stand on middle-and-off, you can reach the ball comfortably or defend it. But standing on middle-and-leg exposes the off-stump and forces you to reach for the ball.”

“Maybe it was a lapse in concentration. He thought it was drivable, but the ball dipped, credit to Harmer. He looked to drive and ended up falling to a perfect off-spinner’s dismissal.”

Rahul was the second Indian batter to get out on Tuesday. Before him, pacer Marco Jansen ended Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13-run knock in the seventh over. The left-handed batter, who scored a half-century in the first innings, was caught by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne after smacking one four and one six.