[Watch] KL Rahul holes out to Sam Konstas off Mitchell Starc in 5th Test of BGT 2024-25

Team India opener KL Rahul got out cheaply in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Day 1 (Friday, January 3). The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first.

With Rohit Sharma opting for rest, Rahul returned to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal after batting at No. 3 in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The right-hander played a gorgeous shot to hint at his stunning form. However, his stay in the middle was shortlived, as Mitchell Starc devised a brilliant plan to dismiss the in-form batter.

Starc bowled a few deliveries outside the off-stump before targeting the stumps. This time, however, he strayed on the leg side. It was a fuller delivery on the legs and KL Rahul tried to flick, only to play it a bit early. The ball went straight to Sam Konstas at square leg who completed an easy catch.

Watch the clip here:

Rahul, who has been one of India's better batters in the series, departed after scoring only four off 14 balls.

India's highest run-scorer in the series Yashasvi Jaiswal also returned soon after, edging one from Scott Boland. The left-hander scored 10 off 26 deliveries, including a boundary.

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Team India rest Rohit Sharma for Sydney Test, make two changes

Incumbent Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has opted to rest from the fifth and final Test in Sydney. Incidentally, he has been in dismal form with the bat, scoring only 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.20. Shubman Gill, who missed the last Test, has made his way back into the playing XI.

"Our skipper has opted to rest. It shows the unity we have. We have two changes. Rohit has opted out and Prasidh comes in for the injured Akash Deep," stand-in captain Bumrah said at the toss (via Hindustan Times).

Pacer Akash Deep also missed out with an injury, with Prasidh Krishna replacing him in the playing XI.