Shubman Gill pulls off stunning one-handed catch against Sri Lanka: Watch
India captain Shubman Gill produced a moment of brilliance in the field during the first Test against Sri Lanka, pulling off a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis in Galle. The effort added to an impressive morning for India’s bowlers on Day 3.
Mendis came down the track against Kuldeep Yadav and turned the delivery into a fuller ball before playing an uppish drive towards extra cover. Gill reacted in a flash, throwing himself to his left and getting one hand underneath the ball just before it hit the ground.
Sri Lanka vs India, 1st Test Day 3: UPDATES
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The India captain was visibly delighted with the effort, immediately tossing the ball into the air before punching the air in celebration. It was a catch that demanded sharp reflexes, athleticism and plenty of belief, with Gill managing to keep the ball from popping out as he hit the ground.
The dismissal also gave India another crucial wicket as Sri Lanka struggled to cope with the movement and turn on offer in Galle. Gill’s effort came at a particularly important stage, with India already sensing an opportunity to run through the hosts’ top order.
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India had finished their first innings on 462 earlier in the morning, adding only two runs to their overnight 460/9. Mohammed Siraj then needed just two deliveries to make an impact, getting Nishan Fernando to edge an away-moving delivery to Devdutt Padikkal at first slip.
Manav Suthar made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with his very first delivery before later removing Lahiru Udara for 27. The left-arm spinner extracted turn and bounce consistently, keeping Sri Lanka’s batters uncertain.
Kuldeep Yadav then accounted for Mendis, with Gill’s sensational catch completing the dismissal. Ravindra Jadeja added to Sri Lanka’s problems by removing captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21 shortly before lunch.
Sri Lanka went into the break at 99/5, still 363 runs behind India. With the visitors’ bowlers finding assistance and the fielders backing them up, Gill’s stunning catch became the defining image of an otherwise dominant Indian session.
– Ends
