[Watch] Sandeep Sharma takes spectacular catch to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz in KKR-RR clash
Rajasthan Royals (RR) medium-pacer Sandeep Sharma pulled off a sensational catch to dismiss the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, May 11.
Choosing to bowl first, RR pacer Trent Boult dismissed the in-form opener, Jason Roy, in his second over for just 10 runs. He followed it up with the dismissal of Gurbaz, who had taken the attack to Sandeep Sharma in the previous over, hitting two sixes off the first two deliveries of the fourth over.
However, when it appeared like Gurbaz was ready for take-off, he could not get the elevation to a full delivery outside the off-stump from Boult and drilled the drive to the right of Sandeep Sharma at mid-off.
Sandeep sprinted and dove full length with both hands and pulled off a terrific catch to reduce KKR to 29-2 in the fifth over.
Here is a video of the catch:
The match is a virtual must-win for both teams, as they sit on 10 points in 11 games with five wins and six losses.
With 16 points likely required to ensure qualification to the playoffs, both teams will probably need to win all their remaining matches to have any hopes of qualification.
"The seniors in the side keep telling me to trust myself" - RR opener Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal spoke about his impressive batting form this season and the team atmosphere ahead of the all-important game against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The 21-year-old has been in magnificent form this season, scoring 477 runs at an average of 43.36 and a strike rate of 160.61, including a breathtaking century against the Mumbai Indians in Mumbai.
Speaking ahead of the KKR game, Jaiswal was about the key for his fearless batting this season.
"By God’s grace, things are going good for now but as a team we are all trying to do well each game, let’s see how today pans out. The seniors in the side keep telling me to trust myself, play good cricketing shots and take brave decisions. Their words motivate me to bat fearlessly."
Jaiswal also spoke about the dressing room atmosphere on the back of three straight losses.
"It is always great with our dressing room and with Sanju (Samson). We enjoy playing together. A few ups and downs like these will keep happening, those are learnings for us, we keep learning to move forward."
Jaiswal's opening partnerships with Jos Buttler have been instrumental in most of RR's victories, and the duo will need to fire on all cylinders for Rajasthan to qualify for the playoffs.
After the KKR game, RR will take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at home on May 14 before finishing against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on May 19.