In the ongoing Irani Cup 2024-25, Devdutt Padikkal pulled off a superb diving catch to dismiss Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw. On October 1, the Ranji Trophy champions of 2023-24 faced the Rest of India in a one-off Irani Cup clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match began with Rest of India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad winning the toss and opting to bowl first.
Rest of India made an ideal start, securing their first wicket on the third over’s very first ball. Prithvi Shaw, after facing just seven deliveries and scoring four runs, was forced to return to the pavilion. Shaw edged a Mukesh Kumar delivery, and the ball flew towards the second slip. Devdutt Padikkal made a spectacular dive to his right, catching the ball one-handed, giving the Ranji Champions a major early blow.
Mukesh Kumar strikes again
Rest of India’s momentum continued as Mukesh Kumar claimed another wicket soon after Shaw’s dismissal. On the fourth ball of the same over, Hardik Tamore, the Mumbai batter, fell for a three-ball duck. Playing a loose shot off a fuller delivery from Kumar, Tamore failed to cover the line, resulting in a catch by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. At the time of writing, Mumbai scored 43 runs after losing three wickets.