WATCH: Vijay Shankar’s excellent catch to dismiss Usman Khawaja in first ODI

Vijay Shankar’s excellent catch to dismiss Usman Khawaja: The Indian all-rounder put on display an acrobatic effort to affect a dismissal.

During the first ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India at Hyderabad, India all-rounder Vijay Shankar put on display an acrobatic effort to dismiss Australia opening batsman Usman Khawaja.

The same happened on the penultimate delivery of the 24th over when Khawaja stepped out to up the ante against India chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. Hitting the ball towards the midwicket region, Khawaja surprisingly found Shankar in the way.

So India want to look closely at Jadeja and Vijay Shankar. Will be interesting to see where Vijay Shankar bats. If at no 7, it means his bowling will be tested more. No Pant also indicates he is lower down the pecking order.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 2, 2019

🔝 catch, Vijay Shankar! This is what a fielder’s wicket looks like 👌

🇦🇺 – 97/3 (23.5)#INDvAUS #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) March 2, 2019

Sent in to open the batting for Australia, Khawaja scored an impressive half-century, his sixth in ODIs. The 32-year old southpaw ended up scoring 50 (76) with the help of five fours and a six.

Australia in trouble after Khawaja’s dismissal

Khawaja’s wicket saw Australia being reduced to 97-3 just before the halfway mark. After Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah made early inroads as he dismissed Finch (0) in his first over.

Out! Vijay Shankar covers a lot of distance to take a blinder in the deep. Usman Khawaja departs after scoring 50.

🇦🇺 – 97/2 (23.5)#CricketMeriJaan #INDvAUS

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 2, 2019

OUT! And it’s Kuldeep Yadav this time who gets rid of a well-set Khawaja (50 off 76). What a catch by our Riser @vijayshankar260! 🔝

“Vijay Shankar’s wicket, more than Kuldeep Yadav’s wicket,” says Sunil Gavaskar on air. 🙌#INDvAUS #OrangeArmy https://t.co/lQOMyV9VxV

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 2, 2019

Providing Australia with a rescue act, Khawaja and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (37) stitched an 87-run partnership for the second wicket. With Khawaja well set in the middle, Australia would have wanted for him to continue from one end.

Moreover, with power-hitters available at the other end, Khawaja would have been better off had he went on to play his natural game. Having got the opportunity to open the batting, one reckons the innings will go down as a chance missed for Khawaja.

Watch the full video below:

Good catch from Vijay Shankar.https://t.co/dYO4YkhChQ

— Gautam chauhan (@Gautamchauhan2) March 2, 2019

For the hosts, it was the first wicket for Kuldeep Yadav who was bowling his third over. Been introduced into the attack as the second change bowler in the 10th over, Yadav was removed from the attack after being given only a couple of overs.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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