Umpire Chris Gaffaney couldn’t believe his eyes as Delhi Capitals all-rounder Lalit Yadav played a dual role in picking the all-important wicket of Chennai Super Kings batter Ajinkya Rahane at the MA Chidambaram Stadium tonight.
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Knowing how Rahane could tackle their spinners on a spin-friendly surface with ease, Yadav didn’t let a daunting opportunity go waste in the middle overs. It all happened on the first delivery of the 12th over when Rahane danced down the track to hit a fuller Yadav delivery down the ground. In addition to timing the ball well, Rahane also managed to (almost) hit it along the ground.
Having said that, one facet where the right-handed batter was found wanting was placement. Rahane, who hit the ball towards the right of Yadav, was a tad bit unfortunate to be dismissed in such a manner.
Lalit Yadav Grabs One-Handed Stunner to Dismiss Ajinkya Rahane
In his follow-through, Yadav put on display his swift reflexes which allowed him to dive and complete a stunner of a one-handed catch with non-striker Shivam Dube (25) and his bat as distractions. Yadav, however, didn’t let any of that affect his effort to leave one and all in astonishment.
Coming in to bat at No. 3 in the fifth over, Rahane played well for 21 (20) realizing how the pitch required him to play an archetype anchor role. Playing a match after almost three weeks, Yadav picking a wicket in his second over was exactly what was expected out of him.
Shivam Dube and Ambati Rayudu Take Apart Lalit Yadav
Rahane’s dismissal was avenged by fellow batters in Dube and Ambati Rayudu (23). It was only his Yadav’s next over that Dube and Rayudu hit as many as 23 runs. While Dube hit a couple of sixes off consecutive deliveries, Rayudu hit a four and a six to not let the off-spinner bowl another over in the match.
