NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja pulled off a miraculous one-handed stunner to send Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul packing for 82 in Lucknow in Indian Premier League match on Friday.
Often regarded as a live wire on the field and one of the greatest fielders of his time, Jadeja showcased sensational hand-eye co-ordination to pluck a blinder out of thin air.
The incident took place on the first ball of the 18th over when Matheesha Pathirana threw a back of length delivery wide outside off. As Rahul saw room, he threw his bat at it middled. The ball flew straight to backward-point, close to where Jadeja was positioned.
As the ball travelled to him in a blink of an eye, Jadeja leaped to his left, putting out his hand and the ball just stuck.
Seeing the superhuman effort, a stunned CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad could only manage to put his hand on the mouth.
"Ohh! What a catch. Is that the catch of the IPL? Wow! That (ball) was flying like a tracer bullet and he has just plucked it out of thin air as if its nothing," said a highly excited Ravi Shastri on-air.
Despite Jadeja blinder that ended Rahul's knock, his 53-ball 82 powered Lucknow to a solid eight-wicket win over CSK.
Chasing a tricky 177, Rahul and Quinton de Kock (54) smashed superb fifties as LSG crossed the finish line with 6 balls to spare.
With the comfortable victory, Lucknow returned to winning ways after suffering two back-to-back defeats.
