There is no denying the fact that it’s very difficult for a bowler to take a rebound catch it requires a combination of stellar reflexes and incredible agility to pull off. Yet, the Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder, Lalit Yadav managed to take arguably the best such catch in IPL history as his grab had both batters and the umpire marveling in shock.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) witnessed a rare top-order collapse against DC on a dry Chepauk track, tumbling to 82/4 at the end of 12 overs. While clinical bowling by Axar Patel took care of the openers, the visitors required something extraordinary from Lalit Yadav to get the crucial wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. The off-spinner was bowling his second over of his spell with the veteran batter at the other end.
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Lalit Yadav lobbed a ball straight and slightly full, tempting Rahane to charge down the track and offer a full-blooded blow to up the ante. He seemed to have executed the shot perfectly as the ball made a meaty sound when it struck the center of Rahane’s bat and was traveling at a brisk pace down the pitch, seemingly destined for a boundary.
However, Lalit Yadav had other plans, as he shuffled to his right before falling flat to the ground towards his right, his dominant hand extended well beyond his head. Non-striker Shivam Dube had to jump out of the way of the diving all-rounder and seemed to panic when the ball did not travel past him, afraid of getting run out.
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Yet, little did he realize that the 26-year-old had not just managed to stop the ball from going past but also somehow made the ball stick between his thumb and index finger in a catch for the ages. The unbelievable take even had umpire Chris Gaffaney opening his mouth wide in a circle, effectively serving as the entire audience’s manifestation with his expressions reading ‘too good to be true.’
Here is the video of the catch from Lalit Yadav:
The Twitterati unanimously agreed on the grab being the ‘catch of the season’ with a better one hardly fathomable regardless of the number of games remaining, with some even labelling it the best catch in IPL history.
Lalit Yadav is an excellent fielder. We have seen that before.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 10, 2023
What a catch Lalit Yadav 🫣
— S (@StonyHolmes007) May 10, 2023
Chris' amazing reaction seeing Lalit's extraordinary return catch
What a catch.. #Lalit #ipl pic.twitter.com/6PR3oGr3WF— Sanathana Dharma – Iyer💪🇮🇳 (@Gurutalks_san) May 10, 2023
https://twitter.com/SaqlainHameeed/status/1656313085655937025?s=20
Outstanding catch by Lalit Yadav 👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#CSKvDC #IPL2023
— GuruprasanthGK (@GuruGK1804) May 10, 2023
Chris Gaffaney’s reaction to that catch from Lalit Yadav was 👌🏼😳
— महादादा (@mahadada) May 10, 2023
That has to be one of the best catch and bowled wickets ever .. That was crazy from Lalit #CSKvDC #IPL2023
— Faaris (@Faaris_KW22) May 10, 2023
Lalit Yadav you beauty… That's it, the best catch of this year's IPL… #IPL2023 #cskvsdc
— The Rational (@RitendraThakur4) May 10, 2023
Lalit Yadav Brilliant catch 😳🔥#DCvsCSK #CSKvDC pic.twitter.com/X5baeNmZSJ
— Cric Irfan (@Irfan_irru_17) May 10, 2023
