Watch: RCB’s newly recruited wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Azharuddeen effected a spectacular run-ou during the KCA Presidents Cup T20, a local T20 tournament in Kerala.

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Azharuddeen, who turned heads in January with a 37-ball T20 century for Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, is captaining KCA Eagles in the Presidents Cup T20. During the team’s game against KCA Tuskers on Monday, Azharuddeen, keeping wicket, produced a stunning run-out to dismiss Sreenath K with an acrobatic dive.

With the two batsmen in the middle attempting a quick single, fielder Rabin Krishnan, stationed at cover, fired a throw towards the stumps. Azharuddeen, behind the stumps, quickly moved in front, taking the return with both hands.

Then, almost cartwheeling, he flung himself to his left, using his left hand to disturb the stumps and rolling mid-air to complete the dismissal. The batsman was comfortably short, with the leg umpire quickly raising his finger.

As images of the run-out circulated around social media, the RCB management must have been smiling at the footage, having acquired the services of the 26-year-old for INR 20 lakh in the IPL 2021 auction.

Earlier in the day, Azharuddeen also scored a 43-ball 69 at the top of the order to take the Eagles to 167.

RCB have often found themselves short on domestic batting reserves, and have almost always looked at domestic wicketkeeper-batsman slots to balance their side better, which has historically possessed a top-heavy line-up. Azharuddeen’s recent form with both bat and gloves could help them plug that hole in this year’s IPL.

Watch the spectacular run-out here:

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