Steve Smith’s Sensational Catch Ends Cheteshwar Pujara’s Knock in India vs Australia Test
The third Test match between India and Australia saw a moment of brilliance on the field when the Australian skipper, Steve Smith, took an exceptional catch to end Cheteshwar Pujara’s innings on Day 2 of the match in Indore. The catch proved to be a turning point in the game, as India was already struggling to stay afloat in the Test.
Steve Smith took over the captaincy from Pat Cummins and turned the game around for Australia with his outstanding leadership skills. Though he could not contribute much with the bat, scoring just 26 in the first innings, Smith proved to be a master strategist with his bowling changes and field placements.
The brilliant catch of Steve Smith
Pujara had defied the Australian spinners and was approaching his half-century when a moment of lapse in concentration cost him his wicket. Smith, fielding at leg slip, showed his incredible reflexes as he bent down in a flash to take a brilliant one-handed catch, ending Pujara’s knock at 59 runs in 142 balls.
The impact of the catch
Pujara’s wicket proved to be a crucial breakthrough for Australia, as India was struggling at 155 for 8, leading only by 67 runs. Nathan Lyon had already completed his 23rd 5-wicket haul, and with Pujara gone, India’s chances to enforce a favorable result in the Test took a severe hit.
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Usman Khawaja’s Flying Catch Dismisses Shreyas Iyer in Indore Test
Fielding has become an integral part of modern-day cricket, and Usman Khawaja demonstrated its importance in the Indore Test against India by taking a stunning catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer.
The low-scoring game between India and Australia at the Holkar Stadium in Indore has been thrilling, with the hosts losing half of their side with a lead of only 30 runs in the second innings. Amidst the Indian team’s struggles, Iyer played a counterattacking innings of 26 runs from 27 balls until Usman Khawaja’s outstanding fielding effort resulted in his dismissal.
In the 38th over of the innings, Mitchell Starc bowled a fuller ball down the leg side. Iyer flicked the ball towards midwicket without keeping it down, where Khawaja was stationed inside the 30-yard circle. Khawaja dove to his left and caught the ball in his right hand, ensuring that he did not spill the ball while diving.
The video of Usman Khawaja’s remarkable catch can be viewed here:
Importance of Fielding in Modern Cricket
With the advent of T20 cricket, the importance of fielding in modern-day cricket has increased significantly. In T20s, a single run or a single catch can change the outcome of a match. Good fielding can help in saving crucial runs, preventing boundaries, and taking brilliant catches that can turn the game in your favor.
Even in Test cricket, fielding has become an important aspect as matches have become closely contested, and every run counts. A good catch or a brilliant piece of fielding can lead to the dismissal of a set batsman and change the momentum of the game.
Usman Khawaja’s stunning catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer is an example of how crucial fielding has become in modern-day cricket. Fielding should be given equal importance as batting and bowling, and teams should strive to improve their fielding skills to win matches.