Watch: Virat Kohli drops an easy catch, gives life to Marnus Labuschagne

Veteran India batter Virat Kohli dropped an easy catch in the second slip to give life to star Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne on Friday (November 22). This happened on the last ball of the third over of Australia’s first innings, which was bowled by star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

The ball also kissed the edge of Labuschagne’s bat, when he was batting on 0 at that time, and the ball went straight to Kohli, who was fielding at second slip. The veteran collected the ball well, but then it slipped out of his hand, which gave a lifeline to the Australian batter.

The video of Kohli dropping the catch has gone viral on the internet.

Virat Kohli dropped a sitter

One of the more extraordinary drops you'll see! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LdxmEYeWQx

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2024

 

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However, Marnus Labuschagne came to bat at No. 3 in the first Test after Jasprit Bumrah trapped debutant Nathan McSweeney before the stumps on the third ball of his second over. McSweeney managed to score 10 runs from 13 balls. After dismissing him, Bumrah, in his fourth over of the first inning, dismissed veteran Australian batters Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith on consecutive deliveries. While Khawaja was caught in the slip by Kohli for a mere 8 runs from 19 balls, Bumrah removed Smith for a golden duck.

However, the life of Marnus Labuschagne could pose trouble to the Indian team as he is known for his composed knocks. Meanwhile, he took 24 balls `to open his account. Currently, he is batting at 2 off 45 balls.

India got all out for 150

Earlier in the first two sessions of the first day’s play, Australian bowlers successfully dismissed India for just 150 runs. For Team India, debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy top-scored with 41 runs. However, he was the last Indian batter to get out in the first inning where he added 48 runs for the eighth wicket with Rishabh Pant, who smashed 37 runs from 78 balls after coming out to bat at No. 5 as well.

On the other hand, in his maiden Test innings against Australia, talented India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to open his account as he got out for an eight-ball duck by Mitchell Starc. 

There were a lot of expectations from the veteran India batter Virat Kohli, who came to bat at No. 4 but the former Indian captain could only manage 5 runs by Hazlewood. However, Kohli has been going through a tough phase and he failed to do well during the home Test series against New Zealand as well. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the rest of the series as well.

Extra bounce from Hazlewood - Kohli's back in the sheds for five #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6M5DjgOqrV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2024

For Australia, Josh Hazlewood claimed four wickets for 29 runs in 13 overs, whereas Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh picked up 2 wickets each.