Steve Smith once again demonstrated his fielding abilities by dismissing Hardik Pandya with a one-handed screamer in the second ODI in Vizag. While the ball was flying towards the second slip, the Australian captain was standing at the first slip. Smith gave it his all and dove to his right to grab the one-handed stunner.
Smith’s effort awed the commentators, and the catch was dubbed “catch of the century” by Sanjay Manjrekar. Smith’s diving effort resulted in Pandya walking back for a score of one. A video of the Australian captain’s incredible catch has gone viral.
Pandya got a thick edge on a delivery from Sean Abbott, and the ball appeared to be too far away from Smith at the slips. However, the veteran Australian cricketer pulled off a full length to his right, and his superhuman effort stunned India captain Rohit Sharma and his teammates in the dressing room.
Here is Steve Smith’s catch
In the meantime, Mitchell Starc took 5 for 53 as Australia bundled out India for 117 in 26 overs in the second One-Day International in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Starc’s ninth five-wicket haul in ODIs, combined with strong performances from Sean Abbott (3/23) and Nathan Ellis (2/13), gave Indian batters no time to settle, with the ball seaming and swinging wildly.
The chase was then a piece of cake for the Australian openers. Mitchell Marsh maintained his previous game’s form and was well supported by Travis Head. They did not lose their wickets and helped their team cross the finish line. Both completed their half-centuries and remained unbeaten to the end.
While Marsh scored 66 runs off 36 balls, Head scored 51 runs off 30 balls. It took the two only 11 overs to chase down India’s small target. The series is now tied at 1-1, and the teams will meet again in Chennai for the series decider on the 22nd of March.
Here is how fans reacted
What A Catch By Steve Smith ??#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/5J9n5dZglu
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) March 19, 2023
— Ritish Gotam (@gotam_ritish) March 19, 2023
Flying smudge ?. #INDvsAUS
— Aditya Ighe (@Cricketwithadi) March 19, 2023
Ak number ar khankir 6ela
— Pratick Bose (@BosePratick) March 19, 2023
Steve Smith takes a blinder to dismiss Hardik Pandya! pic.twitter.com/nbtq9lz19Q
— Cricket Junkie (@JunkieCricket) March 19, 2023
An absolute screamer from Smudge!!
?: Disney + Hotstar#SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/ClFOlVxnsl
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 19, 2023
WOW!! #SteveSmith, what a grab
?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/VIh6YhfqU0
— Smriti Sharma (@SmritiSharma_) March 19, 2023
Taking blinders with one-hand: Steve Smith. pic.twitter.com/qguko4EmHs
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 19, 2023
WOW!! Steve Smith, what a grab ?
India are FIVE down! #INDvAUS
Live match centre: https://t.co/LXGrkQy5JJ pic.twitter.com/tLjSiXaZnJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 19, 2023
Normal day in the office for Steve Smith. pic.twitter.com/kBXJmT0Ufw
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 19, 2023
Steve Smith's acrobatic catches are aesthetic ?
?: Disney + Hotstar pic.twitter.com/iFawjrEeYO
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 19, 2023
