IPL 2017, DD vs RPS: Pune's sensational fielding performance is the SK Play of the Match
In what was a truly amazing display of fielding, Rising Supergiant’s MS Dhoni, Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes produced sustained moments of magic during the clash against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Friday night.
The trio ensured that the visitors continued to mesmerise on the field. Their impressive work produced breakthroughs at timely junctures and prevented the Daredevils from completely breaking the shackles during the first phase of the game.
Dhoni’s reflexes stand the test of time
Despite being unarguably India’s greatest ever wicket-keeper batsman in the limited-overs formats, Dhoni’s selection for the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy had to be explained by the chairman of selectors. However, the 35-year-old showed that age was just a number by relying on his evergreen reflexes.
Watch Dhoni’s stellar jump here and sharp stumping here
Delhi were sauntering along in the middle-overs as Marlon Samuels was beginning to stitch together a handy partnership with Karun Nair. When Pune desperately needed a breakthrough, Dhoni gave them two in quick succession by effecting a catch and a stumping.
Daniel Christian got one to rear uncomfortably at Samuels who could only manage a top edge. When the ball seemed like it would fly rapidly behind the stumps, all eyes were primed on Dhoni. The veteran gloveman timed his jump to perfection and seemingly grabbed the catch out of thin air.
He followed a sprightly effort with his quintessential rapid stumping. Corey Anderson’s feet were out of the crease only for a fraction of a second. However, Dhoni pounced on the moment and whipped off the bails in a flash to send the New Zealand batsman back to the dressing room.
Unadkat pouches a stunner
With the death overs set in motion, the hosts were relying on the well-set Nair to swell the total by striking a few lusty blows. But he had to depart due to Unadkat’s highly commendable approach to a difficult catch.
Watch Unadkat’s brilliant catch here
Stokes sent one towards the stumps and procured the leading edge of the batsman’s blade. The ball went soaring into the night sky in the vast swathes of land behind the wicket-keeper’s base. Stationed at short fine-leg, Unadkat took off and hared towards the opportunity.
Usually, such types of catches are extremely tricky for the judgment has to be precise. Unnerved by the swerving of the ball, the seamer circled underneath it and pulled out a meticulous dive. Needless to say, he held on to the chance to help his team dismiss the dangerous Nair.
Stokes triumphs against the boundary ropes
In the modern era, players specifically practice the art of catching near the boundary ropes to get themselves ready for such openings under pressure situations. Stokes put his training to optimal use by snaring one of the best catches in this edition of the Indian Premier League.
Watch Stokes’ jaw-dropping catch along the boundary ropes here
It was the penultimate delivery of Pune’s innings. Mohammed Shami possessed the power and capacity to send the ball sailing into the stands. But Unadkat and Stokes combined to produce another wicket. Only this time, their roles were reversed.
After the left-armer delivered a length ball right in the batsman’s arc, Shami unleashed a booming slog towards the deep mid-wicket region. Even as the ball appeared to be flying past him, Stokes somehow grabbed it along the boundary ropes.
When the ensuing inertia looked certain to drag him past the fence, the all-rounder parried the ball up above and returned from beyond the ropes to complete the catch of the match. Skipper Steven Smith, who is no mean fielder himself, was seen applauding the effort wholeheartedly. To all those who raised question marks over his exorbitant pay, Stokes offered yet another reminder of his incredible skill set.