Watch: Mohammed Shami clung on to a return catch off Ben Stokes after a three-way mix-up with KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda, managing to complete the grab despite a collision with the wicketkeeper during the IPL 2021 game between RR and PBKS.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match awards, player interviews, analysis and much more.
Shami, returning after a considerable injury lay-off, sent down the first over for Punjab Kings in Rajasthan Royals’ chase. Off the third delivery, Stokes tried to pull him but ended up getting a top edge.
Here’s the complete IPL 2021 schedule, along with TV and live streaming details.
The ball went high int the air, giving enough time for wicketkeeper KL Rahul and square leg fielder Deepak Hooda to converge. However, all three made the elementary mistake of not calling clearly, and ended up nearly running into one another. Even Stokes ran for cover, realising that the ball was hurtling down right towards him.
As the ball came down, Hooda realised the mess he was getting into and pulled out, and could only watch helplessly as Shami and Rahul rammed into each other.
The bowler, however, managed to hold on to the catch even as Rahul’s wicketkeeping gloves pushed into his face, and sent the PBKS captain tumbling.
As the dismissal was completed, the two stared hard at each other, with Shami animatedly waving his hands as if to ask KL Rahul why he hadn’t acknowledged his call.
In hindsight, the two were lucky to get out of the collision unscathed, given how brutal some of the other mix-ups have been in the game.
Watch the mix-up and collision here:
