A catch, a drop, and a team owner in trouble
Plays of the Day from the IPL game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab
Sriram Veera
10-May-2011
Catch like Pollard. Celebrate like Pollard • Associated Press
Ouch
It's no surprise that Adam Gilchrist's reflexes have slowed down a touch, and Lasith Malinga decided to test them. His first bouncer screamed up towards Gilchrist who almost froze. He took his eyes off the ball and tried to duck but couldn't escape the missile. The ball crashed into the helmet, Preity Zinta shut her eyes in agony, and Gilchrist asked for a new helmet. Malinga returned later for another spell and hurled another bouncer at Gilchrist who was again beaten for pace, and feathered an edge to the keeper.
It's no surprise that Adam Gilchrist's reflexes have slowed down a touch, and Lasith Malinga decided to test them. His first bouncer screamed up towards Gilchrist who almost froze. He took his eyes off the ball and tried to duck but couldn't escape the missile. The ball crashed into the helmet, Preity Zinta shut her eyes in agony, and Gilchrist asked for a new helmet. Malinga returned later for another spell and hurled another bouncer at Gilchrist who was again beaten for pace, and feathered an edge to the keeper.
Aim for the other team's owner
The moon was up, her Mumbai team had pulled back Punjab after they had got away to a blazing start and Nita Ambani, sitting just beyond the third man boundary, seemed to be enjoying herself. It was then that Dinesh Karthik startled her. He reverse-swept a delivery and the ball flew away, bounced just before the boundary and nearly took out Ms Ambani. Luckily, though, the ball missed her. We know who won't be picked by Mumbai in the next auction.
From king to pauper
Many will remember that shot from Viv Richards when he walked across his stumps and killed a full, dipping delivery over square-leg, even as his cap flew off his head. Not many will remember Yashpal Sharma, an Indian middle-order batsman and currently a national selector, playing his own version of that shot in the 1983 world Cup game against England. Today, Karthik tried to play that shot. He glided across quickly and connected in style but ended up getting more elevation than distance, picking out the deep backward square-leg fielder in the process. The intention was king-size but the execution was not.
Many will remember that shot from Viv Richards when he walked across his stumps and killed a full, dipping delivery over square-leg, even as his cap flew off his head. Not many will remember Yashpal Sharma, an Indian middle-order batsman and currently a national selector, playing his own version of that shot in the 1983 world Cup game against England. Today, Karthik tried to play that shot. He glided across quickly and connected in style but ended up getting more elevation than distance, picking out the deep backward square-leg fielder in the process. The intention was king-size but the execution was not.
A surprise drop
On a night where serial droppers from both sides roamed around the arena, there was a surprise name in the offenders' list. When Adam Gilchrist drove a full delivery straight to short cover, he must have thought it was all over for the man towering there was his good friend, and a fine fielder, Andrew Symonds. However, Symonds didn't hold on to a regulation catch.
On a night where serial droppers from both sides roamed around the arena, there was a surprise name in the offenders' list. When Adam Gilchrist drove a full delivery straight to short cover, he must have thought it was all over for the man towering there was his good friend, and a fine fielder, Andrew Symonds. However, Symonds didn't hold on to a regulation catch.
The catch of the night
When Shaun Marsh walloped a short delivery to the right of deep midwicket, he would not have thought about losing his wicket. He had hit it really hard, flat and well to the right of the fielder but Kieron Pollard rushed across and lunged out to take it safely with both hands. Few other fielders would have taken that catch, and fewer would have made it look as easy as he did. Pollard was well aware of his accomplishment. He stood up, turned towards the crowd and held his arms aloft. It was his moment and he was going to soak in the adulation.
When Shaun Marsh walloped a short delivery to the right of deep midwicket, he would not have thought about losing his wicket. He had hit it really hard, flat and well to the right of the fielder but Kieron Pollard rushed across and lunged out to take it safely with both hands. Few other fielders would have taken that catch, and fewer would have made it look as easy as he did. Pollard was well aware of his accomplishment. He stood up, turned towards the crowd and held his arms aloft. It was his moment and he was going to soak in the adulation.
Sriram Veera is a staff writer at ESPNcricinfo