One of the most famous lines in the cricket commentary will be “Catches win you matches” which might be true when it comes to intense matches like the World Cup. These types of matches are high-pressure matches and catching under pressure conditions can either make you a hero or zero if drop them. A reasonable catch is the total of good fitness and concentration.
Here is the list of a few catches from recent World Cup matches that have turned the table:
1. Axar Patel: India Vs Australia, World Cup 2024
The recent World Cup witnessed a lot of great catches, we might see a lot of it in the upcoming list. Axar Patel took a one-handed stunner catch in the Super 8 against Australia to dismiss Mitchell Marsh in the last over and took away Australia’s winning chances in the extensive run chase of 206. The catch happened in the 19th over when Kuldeep Yadav was bowling. The catch became even more special because Mitchell Marsh’s catch was dropped two times before. Hope Axar continues to polish his all-rounder skills for a longer run in the Indian Cricket.
2. Roston Chase: West Indies Vs Papua New Guinea, World Cup 2024
Roston Chase, West Indies middle-order batter, took a stunning catch in the T20 World Cup opening match against Papua New Guinea to dismiss the captain of the opposing team, Assad Vala. The dismissal happened in the 6th over when Alzarri Joseph was bowling. Vala scored only 21 runs off 22 balls. The Men in Maroon ended up on the winning side. The World Cup stint of the West Indies started on a very high note after their first win against Papua New Guinea.
3. Steven: USA Vs Pakistan, World Cup 2024
The encounter between the USA and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed one of the best catches of this year’s World Cup. It also reminded people of the stunning catch that was taken by Leverocks in the year 2007 against India. The catch was taken by Steven Taylor to dismiss Mohd. Rizwan was in the 2nd over when Netravalkar was bowling. The Men from the USA team ended up on the winning side.
4. Aiden Markram: England Vs South Africa, World Cup 2024
In the same World Cup of 2024, Aiden Markram, captain of the South African team took a stunning running catch of England’s ace cricketer Harry Brook who scored 53 runs off 37 balls. He took the stunning catch when his team needed the most for qualifying into the semi-finals. The South African team won winning the game by seven runs and inched closer towards the semis.
5. Gulbadin Naib: Afghanistan Vs Australia, World Cup 2024
Afghanistan’s glorious and historic win against Australia came that day because of Gulbadin Naib. He was on fire that by taking a stunning catch by dismissing Agar when Navin-ul-Haq was bowling. Afghanistan ended by winning that day by 21 runs. That was one of the biggest in the history of Afghanistan’s cricketing history.
6. Marco Jansen: South Africa Vs Netherlands, World Cup 2024
Currently, Marco Jansen is one of the tallest players from South Africa. The pacer shook everyone by taking two wickets by bowling for almost three overs but what stunned everyone that day was the stunning catch he took that day to dismiss Max O’Dowd when Ottneil Baartman’s was bowling. The diving catch not only shook everyone but made South Africa win that day and showed the world that they were here to stay.
7. Mitchell Starc: Australia Vs England, World Cup 2024
Australia’s one of the best pacers of all time, Mitchell Starc, needs no introduction. This year’s World Cup was also the same for him but what grabbed all the attention was the catch. A pacer taking a stunning catch is a record in itself. Starc took an excellent near the boundary to dismiss England’s batter and sealed Australia’s fate to win the match against England by 36 runs.
8. Reeza Hendricks’: South Africa Vs England, World Cup 2024
At the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Reeza Hendricks shook the entire stadium with the stunning catch that he took to dismiss Phil Salt. The stunner catch earned a loud appreciation from the ace pace baller Kagiso Rabada. The Proteas won by a huge margin against the defending champions. His phenomenal fielding was appreciated across the entire cricket fraternity.
9. Mohammad Siraj: India Vs USA, World Cup 2024
In the second spell of Arshdeep Singh’s over, Mohammad Siraj took a stunning catch to dismiss USA batter Nitish Kumar, who was batting on 27 in the 22 balls. The catches near boundaries are tough but Siraj made it look so easy. Indian team ended up winning that match by seven wickets and stepped up towards the semi-finals.
10. Surya Kumar Yadav: India Vs South Africa, World Cup 2024
Suryakumar Yadav’s one of the most memorable moments of his life would be the catch that he took that night where 1.4 billion people might have lost their hope of winning the world cup. He took a stunning catch near the boundary when South Africa needed only 16 runs to win and India was on the verge of losing another World Cup. Surya became the knight in shining armor that night and India won its T20 World Cup after a very long time.
Now we know how much a good catch can turn the table entirely in 360 degrees. We have witnessed a lot in the previous years and hope to continue to see more of them from this new and fitter generation.
