IND vs AUS: Australian skipper Steve Smith pulled off a blinder to dismiss Hardik Pandya in the second ODI being played in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Smith dived full length to his right to take a stunning one-handed catch off Sean Abbott’s bowling. Such was the excellence of the catch that the commentators termed it as the catch of the century. Follow India vs Australia LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
IND vs AUS: Watch Steve Smith takes Stunning diving catch to Dismiss Hardik Pandya in 2nd ODI vs India in Visakhapatnam: Check Out
Best Catch by Steve Smith#SteveSmith #INDvsAUS #AskStar #SuryakumarYadav #ODIs #NathanEliis #MSDhoni #Dhoni #IPL2023 #HardikPandya #Hardik #ViratKohli #jadeja pic.twitter.com/xsyx2JFOna
— Shreyash Dange (@ShreyashDange5) March 19, 2023
Smith, who is leading Australia in the ODI series, topped it all by putting a full-length dive to his right and taking a low catch that saw the end of Hardik’s short stay in the middle. It was more Smith’s wicket than bowler Sean Abbott’s as the stand-in captain threw himself around to make sure the edge did not go past him in the slip cordon.
Smith was the only slip fielder even as Australian bowlers were running through India’s top-order with the new ball. Smith’s catch meant India lost half their side inside the first 10 overs. “Wow, lucky to have watched all this. That is as far as a human being can go with the dive. Sensational,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on air, marveling the catch from Steve Smith.
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, who was also on-air, highlighted how efficient Smith has been at the slip cordon for Australia over the years. “Who needs three slips when you have Steve Smith standing there? Steve Smith… he has been known over the years to take those one-handed beauties. Almost catches it behind him. Brilliant from Steve Smith,” he added.
Meanwhile, India has surrendered on 117/10 within 26 overs. None of the Indian batters managed to convert their start to a big total with Virat Kohli being the highest run-scorer after amassing 31 runs. For Australia, ace pacer Mitchell Starc completed an excellent five-wicket haul.