India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer didn’t get the chance to bowl in Sri Lanka’s innings during the second T20I in Dharamsala on Saturday. However, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder made a crucial contribution in the field by taking a superb catch to dismiss Sri Lankan opener Danushka Gunathilaka off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling.
In the 9th over, Jadeja, in fact, was getting smoked around by the left-handed Gunathilaka. On the first ball of the over, he slogged swept Jadeja for a maximum over mid-wicket. Second ball, he cut for a four. Third ball again, a slot ball was wallopped over wide long-on for another six.
However, on the fourth ball, he was dismissed. Knowing that Gunathilaka is looking to hit another big one, Jadeja darted this one at 101 Kph speed outside off-stump trying to avoid Gunathilaka’s reach. The left-hander went down on his knee for another slog sweep. This time, though, he couldn’t connect it properly and skied the ball high towards long-on, however, the ball didn’t have enough legs to go till the fielder and was about to drop just outside the 30-year circle.
Venkatesh Iyer, placed at that position, came running in towards the ball. He had his eyes on the ball all the time. As Venkatesh brought out his hands to receive the take, he realized that the ball was about to drop in front of him.
He dove forward with both hands for the catch. The ball thudded onto his left hand and he tried to cover it with his right hand; the ball almost popped out but he somehow managed to keep it in his left palm. While Jadeja celebrated the wicket with fist pumps and a kiss in the sky, Venkatesh didn’t and kept looking at the ground, perhaps thinking that he almost spilt another catch as he did in the first T20I.
Here, watch Venkatesh Iyer’s stunning catch:
— Rishobpuant (@rishobpuant) February 26, 2022
Here, check out the reactions of fans to the stunning catch:
Venkatesh iyer took the catch of Gunathilaka in today’s match & it looks same like sharjeel Khan’s catch taken by hardik pandya in 2016 t20 world cup. pic.twitter.com/YGH8QoSIbD
— Raja Sekhar Cricket (@CricketWithRaju) February 26, 2022
Danushka Gunathilaka c VR Iyer b Jadeja
6 ,4,6 ,W
India draws first blood#INDvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/6Newq8FQ67— All About Cricket (@AllAboutCricke8) February 26, 2022
Excellent catch by Venkatesh Iyer. Was that kind of shot required by Gunatilaka?
— Rohan Naik (@RohanNa94580022) February 26, 2022
Yayyy eventually he misshit one and a good comeback by Jadeja after being hit for 16 off 3 balls…….a fine catch by Venky Iyer !!!! ?? #INDvSL #Cricket
— Sanskar Gemawat (@_SanskarG) February 26, 2022
Brilliant catch by venkatesh Iyer to dismiss Gunathilaka
— Cricket? (@endblade58) February 26, 2022
Miracle Miracle ?. Venkatesh iyer completed the catch safely.
— Ravi (@Ravi03414) February 26, 2022
venky iyer ticking all boxes ,
running catch
Hardik ? #INDvSL— Vkholic.meme (@_vishaaaaal_) February 26, 2022
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have posted a big total of 183 runs on the back of two brilliant innings: opener Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings after struggling early on, ending up with 75 off 53 balls, before skipper Dasun Shanaka provided his side with a late hitting, remaining unbeaten on 47 off just 19 balls.
