Australia captain Steve Smith took a one-handed, jaw-dropping catch at first slip to get rid of Hardik Pandya in the 2nd ODI between India and Australia, on Sunday, in Visakhapatnam.
Spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, the Australian pacers were on a roll in Vizag, after Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping that his pacers would utilize the moisture in the surface from the rains before the match.
Steve Smith’s decision was vindicated as Starc, Abbot, and Ellis ran through the India top and middle-order, swinging it both ways and dazzling the Indian batters, leaving the hosts reeling at 49/5, which then became 71/6 with the dismissal of the set Virat Kohli.
Sean Abbott’s first wicket came in the form of Hardik Pandya, who was caught sensationally at first slip by the Aussie skipper Steve Smith.
It was a short of a length ball from Abbott that straightened after pitching outside off. Hardik poked at it, wanting to defend it on the off-side but managed a thick outside edge. The ball was going toward thirdman, and it seemed it would be just a bit too far from Steve Smith, who was standing at a sort of widish first-slip.
But Steve Smith, who has pulled off such catches throughout his career and which could make a highlight reel of his own, flew toward his right with his hand and body fully stretched out, and managed to get a hold on to the ball. Even upon landing on the ground, Smith held on the ball and completed a flying, one-handed screamer that fans can relate only to Smith.
WATCH: Steve Smith’s one-handed flying grab to dismiss Hardik
Playing XIs for second IND vs AUS ODI:
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey(w), Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
