Extra Cover: India fieldsman’s class act, Aussie behind Pujara’s success

Who said sportsmanship was dead? Not KL Rahul. As India searched for a breakthrough at the SCG, cricket fans around the world were left speechless after a class act from the India fieldsman. WATCH HERE.

KL Rahul claims no catch early on day three at the SCG. Picture: Getty

Who said sportsmanship was dead?

As India searched for an early breakthrough on day three, KL Rahul looked to have held onto a low catch to dismiss Marcus Harris off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.

In a world where technology dominates every close decision, the Indian opener immediately shook his head to indicate the ball had landed just short.

KL Rahul claims no catch early on day three at the SCG. Picture: Getty

“Rahul was running towards the ball, but immediately the honesty of Lokesh Rahul said no it bounced,” Mark Howard said in commentary.

“Fantastic sportsmanship by Rahul. The Indians were celebrating, but immediately he said no.”

The home crowd applauded the honesty, while umpire Ian Gould summed up the situation perfectly at the end of the over.

“Outstanding mate, well done,” he told Rahul.

Umpire Ian Gould gives Rahul a thumbs up. Picture: Getty

NEW CAREER FOR KOHLI?

Is there anything Virat Kohli can’t do? Just like that annoying mate everyone had at school who excelled at all sports in PE, the Indian skipper showed off his footballing prowess before play on day three, and didn’t look out of place.

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His control, first-time touches and precision passing were a thing of beauty, although we’re not sure if any A-League clubs will be lining up for his signature after the Usain Bolt experiment ran out of legs.

Fox Cricket commentators Mark Waugh and Brett Lee looked equally comfortable with the round ball, while Harsha Bhogle is still replacing the divot he left in the surface.

SCG FANS MELT IN MERCURY

We’ve had some scorchers over the years, and day three didn’t disappoint.

Conditions usually take a while to heat up, but Sydney didn’t mess around on Saturday, with temperatures hitting 35 degrees by 10am.

While the Indians spent an hour warming up on the field, the Aussies were nowhere to be seen as they tried to resist the elements.

It was crisis mode for photographers on the boundary who couldn’t upload their work due to overheated laptops.

Waters, beers and zooper doopers were the order of the day as sweat flowed as freely as runs did before a late southerly eased the pain.

AUSSIE BEHIND PUJARA’S SUCCESS

It turns out an Aussie has been the secret weapon behind Cheteshwar Pujara’s mountain of runs this series.

Former Australia, NSW and Sydney Sixers physiotherapist Patrick Farhart has been a key figure in the Indian camp this summer, and has played a crucial role in helping Pujara to return to peak fitness after every gruelling at bat.

Patrick Farhart attends to India batsman Mayank Agarwal at the MCG. Picture: Getty

Speaking to Channel Seven, the prolific run-scorer credited India’s head physio for the tireless work he’d done for the team.

“He hasn’t been able to see his family a lot because he’s been in the team room for hours and hours after the end of every day’s play,” he said.

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Originally published as Extra Cover: India fieldsman’s class act, Aussie behind Pujara’s success