Stand-in captain Aiden Markram was recently touted as the new Superman of South Africa after he took a jaw-dropping one-handed catch at covers to dismiss Hardik Pandya in the 4th ODI at Johannesburg. It was not a catch that changed the fate of the match but it was spectacular nevertheless. It at least stemmed the flow of runs as Pandya is a big-hitter and could have changed the complexion of the match in a matter of few overs.
So here is what happened:
Kagiso Rabada was bowling the 48th over to Pandya. Pandya, in order to give himself room and play an extravagant drive, hit the ball straight to Markram at extra-covers. The ball was pitched up by Rabada, who may have been eyeing a yorker. Pandya smashed it and the ball was travelling towards the covers, only to find Markram on its way. Markram jumped 1.5 metres above the ground and then latched onto the ball with his outstretched right hand. It was a breathtaking catch by Markram which cut short Pandya’s stay, he departed for 9 off 13 balls.
ALSO READ: Shikhar Dhawan achieves 5 great milestones with century in 100th ODI. Here’s the complete list
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the catch:
Aiden Markram
-an Outstanding Runout in first match
-an Outstanding catch of Sikhar in last match
-An extra ordinary catch of Pandya today
My fav player of southafrica
he will improve in batting too— ROHIT SHARMA (HITMAN) (@iTheRider1) February 10, 2018
Whatta catch by Markram!!! @AidenMarkram #SAvInd #TeamIndia @OfficialCSA @BCCI @ICC pic.twitter.com/UpQghFc4Fc
— Ritesh Yadav (@Ritesh_Y190) February 10, 2018
This was out of this world..What a catch@AidenMarkram @OfficialCSA #PinkODI #MomentumODI @SuperSportsTV @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/JJU6j0sRC4
— Siddharth Mishra (@Mirror_ur_self) February 10, 2018
What a magnificent catch by Aiden Markram #PinkDay #PinkODI #SABCCRICKET pic.twitter.com/iuz9TW6TrK
— Penelope Mthembu (@Penelope_M99) February 10, 2018
@AidzMarkram @SPORTATSABC @KassNaidoo @ABdeVilliers17 this is how Aiden Markram took that catch. #SAvIND #proteafire #Sabccricket #PinkODI #PinkDay pic.twitter.com/eZV53xwIlm
— Munamato Zhou (@Mnammz) February 10, 2018
#PinkODI That catch by Aiden Markram could possibly be the difference here if the Proteas get over the line here tonight.
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) February 10, 2018
Watching the highlights of Aiden Markram’s catch this evening. _#SAvsIND #ProteasFire @SocialTrendsZA pic.twitter.com/yRxpOUnDJL
— The Sports Blog (@TheSportsBlogSA) February 10, 2018
#PitchUpInPink #Contest #ContestAlert
My entry inspiring moment Aiden Markram
Catch best catch I have see in my life
Keep it up team pink your fielding effort was outstanding . pic.twitter.com/DGM6dYdwZv— Vats Nitesh (@niteshvats7) February 10, 2018
Aiden Markram’s CATCH!!! #ProteaFire ___
— JOHN (@john_makate) February 10, 2018
VIDEO: Aiden Markram grabs a stunner to dismiss Hardik_Pandya https://t.co/Hxvu9T6HXi pic.twitter.com/7XlcOg92VO
— Soniya (@iam_soniyaa) February 11, 2018
Well done. That was brilliant catch. Aiden_Markram you the future. WC preparation https://t.co/kljfvRyPt0
— thabo zengele (@TZegele) February 11, 2018
If you missed Aiden Markram’s catch last night – here it is. Spectacular hands by the stand in captain! _
Share this brilliance! __#SAvsIND #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/kzvON2LrHQ
— D Monika __ (@DhinesMongia) February 11, 2018
South Africa gets a new Superman in Aiden Markram. #PinkODI #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/mfHcCquOuP
— Live scores (@ICCLive_PAK) February 10, 2018
With the series now standing at 3-1 in favour of India, South Africa will look to bounce back and level the series.
