Published: Apr 17, 2017, 05:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 18, 2017, 01:23 PM (IST)
Virat Kohli might have made a late entry in IPL 2017 for his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB); he ensured it was a memorable one just like the previous year. In his first match for RCB, Kohli scored a fifty. In the second game, although he was dismissed for 28, Kohli continued his aggressive approach through fielding and took a stunning catch of Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) opener Rahul Tripathi. Although RCB lost the match against RPS by 27 runs, Kohli etched his name with one of the best catches of the tournament. Pawan Negi was introduced to bowl the second ball of the ninth over. Tripathi was batting on 31. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rising Pune Supergiant – Match 17
Tripathi played a shot towards cover region, but Kohli was quick to respond. The RCB captain put in a dive to grab the catch, and it was only when he threw it high in the air as a celebratory gesture did the crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium realise what had happened. The catch not only provided RCB a breakthrough, but also left an expression on Tripathi’s face that would be remembered for years to come. Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane’s partnership had started off brilliantly, but the latter was removed by the 8th over. Tripathi’s innings comprised of 3 fours and a six. After Rahane and Tripathi were dismissed in quick succession, MS Dhoni’s comeback innings coupled with Steven Smith’s supporting role, and Manoj Tiwary’s late blitz helped RPS post target of 162 against RCB.
Speaking about the catch in the post-match interview, Kohli mentioned, “One of the best catches that I have taken ever. Just reflexes. All the training drills go into that.â€Â Kohli eagerly waiting for Tendulkar’s biopic to release
On the same day, Rohit Sharma had grabbed an excellent catch of Gujarat Lions (GL) captain Suresh Raina towards cover-point over his head. Earlier, Raina too had pulled off a stunner against RPS on his 150th IPL game. Raina, standing at the wide first slip, grabbed an edge off Ajinkya Rahane’s bat with his left hand.
And while we are talking about jaw-dropping catches it would be unfair not to mention Wriddhiman Saha’s blinder to remove Mandeep Singh of RCB. Mandeep miscued the short delivery of Varun Aaron. While one thought it would land in no man’s area behind the wicketkeeper, Saha covered a lot of ground, leaned backwards to add another one to the list of marvellous catches.
