This was the moment in the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 4, when Indian batter Shreyas Iyer pulled off an incredible direct hit from deep to send Kamindu Mendis back into the dressing room; this fine bit of fielding came in the last over of the first innings of Sri Lanka.
Kamindu Mendis had been a godsend to the team, with Jeffrey Vandersay able to enter the fray as well, the replacements for Wanindu Hasaranga and Mohammed Shiraz respectively. From No.8 Mendis provided a considerable amount of solidity to the batting line-up, becoming the joint top-scorer in the innings with an obdurate 40.
Mendis, along with Dunith Wellalage, played the role of saviours as Sri Lanka were in some trouble at 136-6. Their crucial partnership ensured the hosts crossed the 200-run mark without much fuss. Even when Wellalage fell in the 47th over, Mendis continued to push the score, remaining there till the final over.
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Looking to retain the strike, Mendis attempted a scurry of runs following the mis-timed pull, but Shreyas Iyer ran in from deep to reach the ball in time, in possession of a good chance of taking a catch. But he sent in a rocket throw – as accurate as can be – at the stumps with just the one stump to target. This outstanding piece of fielding left Mendis in disbelief, who would have hardly expected Iyer to have made it from that distance.
A tremendous direct hit from Shreyas Iyer to dismiss well-set Kamindu Mendis. pic.twitter.com/isDzVeSGL7
— PIXEL77 (@SaviourShrey96) August 4, 2024
Shreyas Iyer has been one of the best fielders around for quite a long time now; he does manage to come up with something on the field, and this direct hit only added to his growing reputation. This was not the first time that Iyer had pulled off a great run-out. Earlier this year, in the second Test against England in Vizag, he helped run out England skipper Ben Stokes with another good run-out.
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On that occasion, fielding at midwicket, Iyer had only seconds to pick up the ball and throw at the stumps from a challenging angle as Foakes and Stokes scurried for a quick single. The consistency Iyer has shown in the field continues to be of great value for Team India, showing he’s a player capable of changing a game with his athleticism and precision.
