Sarfaraz Khan’s innings came to an abrupt end in the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, courtesy of a brilliant one-handed catch by Devon Conway. It was a moment of brilliance in the field that left the Indian middle-order batter and fans stunned. The dismissal came during the tenth over of India’s first innings, as Sarfaraz fell prey to a momentary lapse in judgment while facing New Zealand seamer Matt Henry.
Henry delivered a length ball just outside the off stump, and Sarfaraz, in an attempt to counter-attack, went for an ambitious shot. Eyeing the gap with the mid-off fielder positioned wide, Sarfaraz tried to drive the ball straight past the bowler. However, he failed to time the ball well, resulting in a weak connection.
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The ball seemed destined to evade the fielder, but Devon Conway, positioned wider than usual, had other plans. Displaying remarkable reflexes and athleticism, Conway quickly covered ground to his right and flung out his right hand, managing to pluck the ball out of the air in a stunning one-handed grab.
The crowd at Chinnaswamy Stadium, who had been hoping for a Sarfaraz resurgence, watched in disbelief as the batter walked back to the pavilion, shaking his head at his ill-timed shot. Sarfaraz’s dismissal highlighted not only the sharp fielding of the New Zealand side but also the pressure that India’s batters were under. His attempt to break free from the early dominance of the New Zealand seamers ended up costing him dearly.
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The moment also served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Test cricket, as a single brain fade can turn the tide of an innings. The Indian team, already reeling from the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, was dealt another blow, and New Zealand continued to capitalize on India’s shaky start.
Conway’s leap of faith 🤯☝️#TeamIndia lose their 3rd wicket early on in Bengaluru! #INDvNZ #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/gM3dSzIgKn
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) October 17, 2024
