Top 10 Spectacular Catches in IPL History

“Catches win matches” this phrase has been uttered so often that it has become a cliché. It certainly holds true in the case of cricket, where a crucial catch can change the game. But some catches are executed so beautifully and with such acrobatic grace that they leave everyone dumbfounded. The Indian Premier League has seen its fair share of such catches, so without further ado, here are 10 of the most spectacular catches in IPL history.

Spectacular catches in IPL history

It was a tense match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals, Punjab needed 32 runs from 8 balls and they were facing James Faulkner. 7 wickets were down already and Anureet Singh and George Bailey were at the crease. Bailey, with 24 runs on the board sent a James Faulkner delivery flying towards the boundary. But Tim Southee reached there first and lunged for it. The Kiwi snagged it but his flailing body was headed over the rope, fortunately for him, teammate Karun Nair was within ball-tossing distance and the latter completed the stunning catch to send Bailey back to the pavilion.

The Mumbai Indians were squaring off against the Chennai Super Kings in this match. It was the fourth ball of the third over and it was Ashish Nehra vs Corey Anderson. Mumbai had six runs on the board and had already lost a wicket. Anderson sent Nehra’s delivery down the pitch and in the air, but instead of racing away for a four, it was snatched out of mid-air by Faf du Plessis. The South African leaped forward and took a sensational two handed catch before rolling on the ground, a catch worthy of Jonty Rhodes. Anderson had to depart with a measly four runs on the scoreboard.

It was that man du Plessis again, this time he had a different victim. Chennai were facing Royal Challengers Bangalore this time and the latter was cruising at 31 runs for no loss. The South African once again teamed up with Ashish Nehra to send Manvinder Bisla packing. On the second ball of the 3rd over Bisla send the ball high and long, but not long enough. Du Plessis raced under it and took another high-flying catch. The best part was that he took it with just one hand.

The Delhi Daredevils were playing against Mumbai Indians in this matchup. On the last ball of the sixth over, Angelo Mathews sent a delivery to Parthiv Patel who sent it flying high. But the question was, how long was the ball hit? well… it sailed towards mid-wicket where Imran Tahir was sprinting towards the trajectory of the ball. It landed square into the outstretched arms of the South African spinner and Patel took the long walk to the pavilion with 28 runs to his name.

Chennai were playing against the Kolkata Knight Riders in this matchup. KKR were already three wickets down with 76 runs on the scoreboard. A delivery by Mohit Sharma was lofted into the air by Suryakumar Yadav. Both Dwayne Bravo and Faf du Plessis were after it in an instant, but Bravo got there first to take an incredible catch and somehow avoid colliding with du Plessis. Yadav departed with only 16 runs scored.

CSK vs KKR again and Pat Cummins had the ball and was facing Dwayne Smith. Smith fired the ball towards the legside but it only got as far as Ryan ten Doeschate. The match had just begun and it was the first ball of the innings. Ten Doeschate held an absolute screamer to dismiss the West Indian powerhouse for a duck. Tendo’s reaction time was so quick that it was a ‘blink and you miss it’ moment.

CSK were facing Rajasthan Royals in this match and it was the second innings. Rajasthan had to win 95 from 61 balls when a Ravindra Jadeja delivery was lofted in the air by Shane Watson and sailed towards the boundary. Dwayne Bravo, who was waiting at long on leaped up and caught the ball, in the process he stumbled and nearly went over the boundary himself. Fortunately for CSK, he steadied himself to take the catch comfortably.

In KKR’s match against Delhi Daredevils, David Hussey somehow prevented a six and converted it into a wicket for his team. With that, it was goodbye Paul Collingwood and he trudged back to the dugout. Delhi were at 166 for 3 at that stage in the match.

CSK were up against Sunrisers Hyderabad and the scoreline read 114 for the loss of 3 wickets. David Warner struck the ball and sent it hurtling towards the boundary. But a well positioned Dwayne Smith took an easy catch to snag the Aussie’s wicket. One leap and the ball was in the West Indian’s hands. When he landed, his foot was dangerously close to the boundary but Smith had it under control.

On the last ball of the 12th over, a Ravi Bopara delivery was hit by Royal Challengers Bangalore player Mandeep Singh and it was a leading edge. Reacting quickly, Sunrisers Hyderabad player David Warner dove and took an absolute blinder of a catch. RCB were are 93 for the loss of 3 at that time and Mandeep was dismissed for a duck.