[WATCH] KL Rahul Out For 35 After Spectacular Catch In Vijay Hazare Trophy

Team India’s experienced batter KL Rahul featured for the first time in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, turning out for defending champions Karnataka against Tripura at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, January 3.

Batting at No. 5 after Tripura opted to field first, Rahul made a positive start and scored a brisk 35 off 28 deliveries, smashing one six and four boundaries. His promising innings came to an end in the 38th over when he attempted a hook shot against a short ball from pacer Ajay Sarkar.

Tripura wicketkeeper Sentu Sarkar then produced a sensational one-handed catch to bring Rahul’s knock to a close. You can watch the video here:

Another brilliant catch 🔥

Sentu Sarkar pulls off a terrific catch to get the big wicket of KL Rahul 👌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/mOw4wlb21n#VijayHazareTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/MXdctgmQ9W

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 3, 2026

It is worth noting that KL Rahul served as India’s stand-in captain for the three-match ODI series against South Africa at home. He took charge in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, both sidelined with injuries.

India went on to clinch the series 2–1 against the Proteas. Rahul played a key role with the bat, scoring consecutive half-centuries in the opening two matches with knocks of 60 off 56 balls and an unbeaten 66 off 43 deliveries. He did not get an opportunity to bat in the third ODI.

KL Rahul Set For One More Vijay Hazare Trophy Game Ahead Of IND vs NZ ODIs 2026

KL Rahul is likely to feature in one more Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 match for Karnataka before linking up with the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match home ODI series against New Zealand. As per Dainik Jagran, the senior batter will be available for Karnataka’s next game against Rajasthan on Tuesday, January 6.

India’s ODI series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, followed by the second and third matches at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14 and the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on January 18, respectively.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.