Best catches in Cricket history that changed the fate of the game
Best catches in Cricket history that changed the fate of the game: The course of a cricket match can be dramatically altered in an instant. This could include making a timely catch that proves to be essential.
Spectacular catches have occurred throughout the years, and they have been major turning points in the history of the game.
Teams typically prioritize either batting or bowling throughout a match. In contrast, recent events have shown how tremendous fielding efforts can be a game-changer. Fielding has become a crucial aspect that teams must concentrate on heavily, particularly in the limited formats.
Fielding is as vital as batting and bowling, as players like Jonty Rhodes, AB de Villiers, and Ravindra Jadeja have repeatedly shown. Jonty Rhodes is widely regarded as one of cricket’s best fielders because of how he shifted the sport’s focus from batting to fielding at a period when the latter was often overlooked. At present, clubs are putting more effort into improving their defense and putting less emphasis on batting average.
Now we’ll examine some of the greatest catches ever made in cricket and how they influenced the outcome of games. CATCHES WIN GAMES, as we all know.
Greatest catches ever made in cricket
Incredible grab by Kapil Dev at the 1983 World Cup
Kapil Dev’s catch in the 1983 World Cup Final is the first thing that springs to mind when discussing the greatest catches in cricket. India, facing a formidable West Indies side in the final, had put up an improbable target of 184 runs in 60 overs.
Kapil Dev grabbed a spectacular catch going back towards the boundary line to eliminate Viv Richards as the defending team struggled to defend a low total in the second innings. Since Viv Richards was in fine form at the time, having scored 33 runs in 28 balls with seven boundaries, this turned out to be a pivotal moment in the game.
Kapil Dev was able to get rid of Richards off Madan Lal’s bowling, who posed a significant threat to the Indian bowlers. The West Indies batting order collapsed after Viv Richards’s important wicket, and India won the World Cup for the first time with a 43-run victory against the runner-up.
In the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup, Sreesanth made a catch that changed the course of the game.
Sreesanth also made an outstanding grab, this one in the World Cup Final. India and Pakistan, longtime rivals, squared off in the finals of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in 2007. Pakistan was winning a nail-biter with a 6-run deficit and 4 balls remaining. Misbah-ul-Haq scored 43 off 38 balls, which proved to be the winning margin, and stayed at the crease till the very end of the game.
Attempting to clear the boundary with a ramp shot off Joginder Sharma’s bowling, Misbah and the Pakistani team were one run short of winning the first Twenty20 World Cup. Sreesanth, who was fielding at short fine leg, caught the ball cleanly.
It wasn’t a particularly challenging catch to make, but it was a hugely important one that turned the tide of the play in India’s favor just as they were starting to feel the pressure and saw the game slipping away from them. Sreesanth’s catch in the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup ensured India’s victory, and it remains his most famous moment.
Incredible catch by Ben Stokes at the 2019 World Cup.
Acclaimed fielder Ben Stokes made an incredible one-handed catch at the 2019 World Cup. During a group stage encounter, England was crushing South Africa. On Adil Rashid’s bowling, Andile Phehlukwayo attempted to slog sweep the ball for a six, but Stokes timed his jump well and took a diving one-handed catch close to the boundary.
Incredible catch by Chris Lynn in the 2014 IPL
Chris Lynn’s catch was arguably the most spectacular and pivotal in Indian Premier League history. During a league-stage encounter of the 2014 IPL season, KKR faced off against RCB. Before Chris Lynn’s incredible catch, KKR had set a target of 151 and RCB needed 6 runs off of 3 balls to win. AB de Villiers, widely regarded as one of cricket’s best finishers, was at the crease and looked to have won the game with two balls remaining. Lynn, who had slid a few seconds before the catch, miraculously managed to make the catch with one hand by leaping backward and making sure he didn’t touch the boundary line.
Amazing grab by Kieron Pollard in the 2014 Indian Premier League
Kieron Pollard made another incredible catch during the 2014 Indian Premier League season. Kevon Cooper, a West Indian teammate of Pollard’s on the Mumbai Indians, aimed to hit a six off Harbhajan Singh of the Rajasthan Royals. Pollard, stationed on the sideline, reached out with one hand and caught the ball. But he was so near the boundary that he was about to lose his balance; so he flung the ball in the air, and from outside the boundary, he dove into the field to execute a magnificent catch.
Evin Lewis’ one-handed stunner in IPL 2022
Not so long ago, during the IPL 2022 season, Evin Lewis made an incredible catch. Late in the league stage, the newcomers Lucknow Super Giants were playing KKR, and thanks to Quinton de Kock’s 140 runs off of only 70 deliveries, Lucknow had given KKR an enormous aim of 211.
KKR came within striking distance, needing only three runs in the final two balls of the game to claim victory. When Rinku Singh, making a game-winning cameo appearance, mistimed a shot, Evin Lewis was there to make the game-saving catch. It appeared impossible for Lewis to complete the grab, but he simply stuck out his left hand and absorbed a one-handed stunner from Rinku, sending him flying.
That was the turning point in the game, and Lucknow went on to win their final league encounter. It was a huge catch, as Lucknow’s victory ensured them a position in the playoffs and third place in the standings.
An unbelievable catch by Harleen Deol versus England
There have been some fantastic catches in women’s cricket over the years. Indian female cricket players have made the majority of these catches. Harleen Deol’s spectacular fielding performance in 2021 versus England is one example. Amy Ellen Jones of England, who was having a phenomenal inning, attempted a six but Harleen caught it. She flung the ball up and dove inside to make the catch just as she was about to lose her balance and touch the boundary line.
One of Smriti Mandhana’s spectacular catches against England
Smriti Mandhana once again showed her fielding prowess against England in 2021. When Natalie Sciver, who was one run short of a half-century for England, attempted to clear the boundary, Smriti Mandhana on the boundary ran a few yards and made a full-length dive to the left to make a spectacular catch.
Final words
These were just a handful of the spectacular captures we have witnessed throughout the years. Paul Collingwood, Mohammad Kaif, AB de Villiers, Trent Boult, Dwayne Bravo, Suresh Raina, etc. are a few others who deserve a nod of recognition. While Jemimah Rodrigues and Fran Wilson are well-known for their amazing catches in women’s cricket.