The fielding standards has generally been top notch in the Indian Premier League (IPL). One has witnessed some superb saves, acrobatic catches as well as stunning direct-hit throws which have led to the dowfall of batters in this edition of the cash-rich league.
An effort which could be categorised as just as fantastic was witnessed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad when Rashid Khan took a spectacular catch to send Kyle Mayers back in the pavilion during Gujarat Titans' (GT) home match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday (May 7).
The fielding effort came in the second ball of the 9th over of LSG's run-chase of 228. The over was being bowled by Mohit Sharma and LSG had started off positively chasing a mammoth target. However, Mohit delivered a slower bouncer which Mayers tried to pull but only managed an edge.
Stationed at deep fine leg, Rashid came running and covered a distance of over 25 metres running diagonally to his right. Despite his slide folding his knees, he went ahead with the momentum before completing the catch with his stretched out hands that led to was followed by a rather animated celebration.
The wicket was a huge one in the context of the game as LSG openers had added 88 runs in 8.1 overs before this ball and looked pretty much alive in the run chase.
Check out the video of Rashid's effort here:
In the end as it turned out, GT comfortably beat LSG and Rashid's catch was surely one of the turning points in the run-chase. The LSG side could only manage 171/7 in their 20 overs despite the kind of start that they got. Other than Mayers who departed for 48 off 32, De Kock, playing his first match this season, scored 70 off 41 but none of the other batters could continue at the same momentum.
Earlier, Shubman Gill's unbeaten 94 off 51 coupled with Wriddhiman Saha's 81 off 43 had helped GT post 227/2.