Catches win matches they say. Although the result of the ongoing IPL 2023 match is still some distance away, one can be rest assured that it is often catches like the one Jos Buttler grabbed to dismiss Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh that remain the difference between winning and losing.
Buttller produced this effort when the PBKS batter was looking in sublime form and seemed to put no foot wrong. However, when he finally hit one ball ball aerially that hadn't found the middle of his bat, Buttler needed no second invitation as he came running in from long off and dived forward to complete the catch.
Jason Holder got this wicket and Singh had to take the long walk back to the pavilion having scored 60 off 34 balls.
Here is the video:
Punjab Kings are looking set to post a solid first-innings total riding on half-centuries from Singh followed by Shikhar Dhawan. Although initially Dhawan seemed to be taking his time, once he got set he also started to get those boundaries.
One of Dhawan's shot injured his non-striker Bhanuka Rajapaksa who had to walk off, in an unfortunate incident. However, when Jitesh Sharma walked in after Rajapaksa couldn't continue, he started off from the same tempo which has helped PBKS in the right place to target a total in excess of over 200.
PBKS have already won their first match of the season, much like Rajasthan Royals. However, while Punjab's win came at their home ground, Rajasthan had travelled to Hyderabad for their first win. This is the first match in the history of the IPL which is being played in the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati which is Rajasthan's adopted home for the season.