Normally a power packed batting performance or a sensational bowling performance wins the game for any team. But another department that has gained importance over time is fielding. Fielding has had a great significance in modern-day cricket. It has been placed on the same level as that of batting and bowling. Especially the shorter format of the game has helped teams to strengthen in this department. So which are the best catches from this season’s IPL.
Modern day players have set such high standards for fielding that they just cannot afford to make any errors in fielding. Taking amazing catches on the cricket field, acrobatic catches on the boundary line is no longer a once in a while event, as the players and the teams practice it in their training and try to do the same on the cricket field.
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IPL has also witnessed many blinders over the past seasons and this season also it has seen some spectacular fielding efforts. As there is a saying in cricket, “Catches win you matches”, let us have a look at some brilliance in the fielding department in this year’s IPL.
Suresh Raina
The Gujarat lions captain took an absolute blinder to dismiss RPS opener Ajinkya Rahane. Raina was standing at slip and he didn’t seem to be in any position to take the catch when the ball flew off the edge of Rahane’s bat, but he somehow managed to grab it with his left hand which is his natural side.
Wriddhiman Saha
The KXIP keeper pulled off an amazing catch while standing behind the wickets after RCB batsman Mandeep Singh mistimed a short delivery from Varun Aaron. At first Saha was in no position to grab the catch but the KIXP keeper went backwards and completed a great catch.
Rohit Sharma
MI captain Rohit Sharma impressed everyone as he pulled one of the best catches in the IPL 2017. Rohit Sharma took a stunning catch to dismiss AB de Villiers as he displayed a perfect example of great anticipation as he threw himself at the ball to grab the catch at covers.
Gautam Gambhir
The KKR captain showed a bit of juggling act when fielding at extra cover in the match against KXIP, he juggled the ball thrice before grabbing it to dismiss Varun Aaron.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli took a scorcher of a catch to dismiss RPS batsman Rahul Tripathi off Pawan Negi’s bowling. Kohli held onto a marvellous catch while fielding at the extra cover. Kohli dived to his left and caught the ball with his left hand even though it was not his natural side. This catch left the batsman in astonishment. It was such a great catch that even Kohli said in the post-match interview that it was one of the best catches he has ever taken.
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Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes who is playing his maiden IPL season has impressed everyone with his all-round ability. He registered his name in the best catch of the season contest when he took an absolutely magnificent catch on the boundary rope to dismiss Mohammed Shami. Stokes took the catch at mid-wicket, with the momentum backwards he knew that he would end up landing inside the boundary rope but he threw ball up in the air when he landed outside the boundary rope and had all the time in the world to step inside the boundary ropes to complete the magnificent catch.
Martin Guptill
In the high scoring match between KXIP and MI, where MI had a flying start to their huge run chase, the West Indian batsman Lendl Simmons was sending every ball out of the park. He was destroying KIXP’S bowling, until he was dismissed after Kiwi national Martin Guptill took a great one handed catch in the mid-air. The reason for the success behind this catch was the timing of the jump.
Corey Anderson
The Kiwi national showed a masterclass in the field when he took a marvellous catch by taking a few steps backwards and then timing the jump to perfection to complete an excellent catch to dismiss GL wicket keeper Dinesh Karthik.
