An incredible catch from Karun Nair helped the Rajasthan Royals defeat last year’s beaten finalists Kings XI Punjab in the opening fixture of this season’s IPL for both sides.
READ MORE:
Sky Sports bug cam! Was this insect invasion the highlight of IPL 8 opener between KKR and Mumbai Indians?
(Video) KKR begin IPL 8 with win over Mumbai Indians: highlights & report
Football app
The wicket of Kings XI skipper George Bailey was almost irrelevant with the Royals on the verge of victory heading into the final couple of overs. But nevertheless, the nature of the dismissal itself crowned off the win beautifully.
The Australian had seemingly smashed his international teammate James Faulkner over long-on, in a desperate attempt to keep the home side in the match. However, New Zealand bowler Tim Southee plucked the ball out of the sky with an excellent one-handed effort.
Sensing that he was destined to land over the rope – and thus provide the opponents with a much-needed six – Southee threw the ball back in, with Nair lurking close by.
But it still took a ridiculous effort from the 23-year-old to take the resulting catch, diving to his right.
In the end, the first IPL champions pulled off a slightly surprising twenty-six run win, but it was one of the greatest catches in history that became the talking point from the game.
COMMENTS