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In a moment that lit up the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Ramandeep Singh produced a jaw-dropping catch to dismiss Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer for a duck, delivering an early blow in the high-voltage clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Ramandeep Singh pulls off a stunner to see-off Shreyas Iyer
The drama unfolded in the third over of the first innings, after Punjab Kings’ opted to bat first at their home ground. KKR pacer Harshit Rana steamed in to bowl the fourth delivery of his over to Iyer, who was yet to get off the mark. The pacer offered generous width outside off stump, tempting Iyer to go big. With a characteristic flourish, the KKR captain attempted to crash it over the covers, but the execution fell short of the intent.
Iyer sliced the ball off the thick outside half of his bat, sending it hurtling toward the deep backward point region. Positioned closer to square third man, Ramandeep had to react in a flash. What followed was pure athletic brilliance.
Tracking the trajectory of the ball, Ramandeep sprinted a few steps, gauging that it was dipping rapidly. Without hesitation, he launched himself full-length in a head-first dive, arms outstretched and eyes locked on the ball. In a stunning display of agility and control, he snatched the catch just inches above the ground, leaving fans and players in awe.
The crowd, which had been buzzing just moments earlier, fell into a stunned silence as the big screen confirmed the dismissal. For Iyer, it was a bitter moment against his former franchise, falling for a two-ball duck at a crucial juncture.
“Oh, that is brilliant. Ramandeep again!” exclaimed cricketer-turned-commentator Pommie Mbangwa on air, echoing the sentiments of every KKR supporter in the stadium. The catch not only lifted the Knight Riders’ spirits early in the innings but also highlighted the growing influence of fielding in T20 cricket.
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Kolkata Knight Riders bowl out Punjab Kings for 111
Punjab Kings began brightly with an aggressive start from Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, but their momentum was short-lived. Harshit turned the tide in a single over, dismissing Arya and Iyer in quick succession. The pressure mounted as Varun Chakravarthy outfoxed Josh Inglis, leaving PBKS reeling with three wickets lost by the fifth over. The collapse continued as wickets fell at regular intervals, with no batter able to anchor the innings. The early blows proved too costly, and PBKS never managed to find their footing. Struggling to rebuild, they were eventually bundled out for a paltry total of 111 in 15.3 overs.
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