The India vs Australia Test series is underway and after losing the first rubber against the Australians in Pune, Team India is fighting hard in the second test in Bengaluru to level the series and beat the Aussies on their land. An extremely good cricket was exhibited throughout the series with the bat, bowl and fielding. In the first match, Australian skipper Steven Smith hit a massive and a saviour ton which helped the guests to put a fighting target of 441 while spinner Steve O’Keefe nailed the Indian batting lineup thereby beating the guests by 333 runs. In the second Test, KL Rahul scored half-centuries in both the innings while Nathan Lyon came up with extracting 8 scalps in the first innings.
But overall, in both the games collectively, there were instances where the players from both the sides showcased phenomenal pieces of fielding and took some swashbuckling catches which caught every eye across the world. Let’s us have look on some of those catches which made the headlines as well:
Jadeja’s gluey hands won’t let that go
After the Australian batting line-up was reduced to 269 for 6, it was Mitchell Starc who came into bat. We all know that how Starc charges hard being a tail-ender and he never hesitates before hitting huge sixes. Once again, Starc attempted the same shot which went up in the air towards deep mid wicket, where Ravindra Jadeja was stationed at that time. He ran towards his left, judged it, assessed things and the put his left hand out. The ball fell upon Jadeja’s palms. No unnecessary juggles, as simple as it gets.
Ashwin fumbles, but gets a wicket after Rumble
The score was 160/3 while skipper Kohli was looking a quick wicket to get back the hold on the game. Jadeja was the bowler, he came round the wicket and bowled a flatter trajectory, just outside off stump. He bowled to Handscomb who lifts the ball down the wicket and flicks one in the air. Ashwin, who stood at a short mid wicket on the leg side, covers five with his body to the right, feet on the ground, hands outstretched. He showed reached and the awareness not to allow the arms to hit the ground hard.
Superman Wriddhiman takes a flight
The catch from the first match which in fact, left skipper Virat Kohli stunned when he himself Wriddhiman launching himself in the air to a take a catch at the slips. Umesh Yadav bowled one a touch outside the off-stump to O’Keefe which he threw his bat around only to find a thickish outside edge The ball was flying fast when Saha leaps out of his blocks to his right-hand side. He is in the air, his hands are fully stretched. He grabs it out of nowhere. Oh yes, call that the leap of faith!
Peter Handscomb rolls at Short Leg and take the BOOT catch
At the day 2 game of the first Test in Pune, more than half of the Indian batting line-up was sent back to the pavilion and then it was Ashwin who came to bat at number 6. To a ball bowled by Nathan Lyon, Ashwin made a defensive move but the ball, after touching the bat, touched his feet and went up in the air which was nicely and comfortable grabbed by Peter Handscomb who was guarding at the short leg. Though, India went for a review against the catch but it went in the favour of the Aussies and at last… It was a stunning catch.
The Surreal Stunner by Smith
In the second innings of the second game in Bengaluru, KL Rahul went to play an expansive drive off O’Keefe. After half an hour when India had got the things moving and were at 84 scoring at a steady run rate, Rahul got a thick edge and the ball was sent flying through the second slip. Steven Smith, who was at the first slips, went airborne to his right, in the air off the ground. The ball was stuck on his right hand which was truly a one-handed blinder by the visiting captain.
