Delhi Capitals spinner Axar Patel stunned the crowd with his sensational one-handed catch to dismiss Ishan Kishan in the ongoing IPL 2024 clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, April 7.
The incident took place in the 11th over of the Mumbai Indians' batting when Ishan Kishan was trying to hit hard towards long on off Axar Patel's outside stump delivery. However, Axar had a brilliant presence of mind even when he was bowling as he quickly dived to the left, plucked his left hand and got the hold of the ball. Ishan was visibly in disbelief as his attempted boundary was prevented by Axar's incredible catch.
Interestingly, prior to his dismissal, Ishan Kishan hit a six off Axar Patel in the same over. The wicketkeeper-batter walked back to dressing after scoring 42 off 23 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, at a strike rate of 182.61.
After putting to bat first by Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians were off to a great start to their innings as skipper Rohit Sharma unleashed his firepower at the top. Rohit and Ishan Kishan took the visitors past 50-run mark in 4.1 overs.
The pair formed a 80-run partnership for the opening wicket until Rohit Sharma was bowled out by Axar Patel for 49. Thereafter, Suryakumar Yadav had a very short stay at the crease as he was dismissed for a ducky by Anrich Nortje at 81/2. Then, Ishan Kishan led the Mumbai Indians and took the team 100-run mark in 9.5 overs.
Ishan's innings came to an end after he was removed by Axar Patel at 111/3.
Tim David, Romario Shepherd and Hardik Pandya smash 96 runs in the last five overs
Mumbai Indians slowed down a bit after the first powerplay as they could only score 63 runs in nine overs and posted 138/4 in 15 overs. After Tilak Verma's dismissal at 121/4, Hardik Pandya was joined by Tim David in the middle to carry on visitors' batting.
The pair formed 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket until skipper Hardik was dismissed for 39 off 33 balls at 181/5. Thereafter, Romario Shepherd joined Tim David at the crease.
The middle-order duo of Tim David and Romario Shepherd unleashed their firepower in the final two overs of the Mumbai Indians' batting. The pair added 53 runs to their partnership in final 2.5 overs of the visitors innings.
However, Shepherd turned out to be a beast as he smashed 32 runs, including 4 sixes and 2 fours off Delhi Capitals pacer Anrich Nortje in the final over. The West Indian played a cameo innings of 39 off 10 balls at an astounding strike of 390. Tim David contributed an unbeaten 45 off 21 balls.
At the end of 20 overs, Mumbai Indians posted a solid total of 234/5 and Delhi Capitals will have to chase 235 runs to win the match.
