New Delhi: Shubman Gill pulled off a stunning one-handed diving catch on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in on Monday, August 17. Gill plucked a blinder from thin air to dismiss Sri Lanka batter Kamindu Mendis during the hosts’ first innings on Day 3.
The dismissal took place in the 17th over of first innings in the first session on Day 3. Mendis drove a fullish delivery from spinner Kuldeep Yadav towards extra cover, where Gill dived full stretch towards his left to pluck a stunner. The Indian skipper displayed remarkable athleticism to pull off one of the best catches of the series so far.
Gill had little time to react after Mendis drove the ball towards him, however, he dived full stretch towards his left and grabbed the ball with his left hand while ensuring the ball didn’t pop out even when he landed on the ground. The Indian captain was elated after the stunning catch, which left Sri Lankan fans and commentators in disbelief.
“Wow, he had no right to take that,” said Sanjay Manjrekar on air after witnessing Gill’s stunner. “Honestly, it was never within his reach. Even the batter would have thought, ‘Yeah, it’s in the air, but it was well away.’ One of the best catches that you will see in that area,” he went on.
Watch Shubman Gill’s stunning catch in Galle Test against Sri Lanka:
Mendis was sent packing cheaply on 14 as Kuldeep bagged his first wicket in the game, thanks to the exceptional catch from the Indian skipper. Sri Lanka were left reeling on 59/4 when Mendis was sent back by Kuldeep before Ravindra Jadeja struck to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva on 21, reducing the hosts to 90/5 in the 27th over in their pursuit of India’s first-innings total of 462 runs.
Sri Lanka fight back after top-order collapse
Sri Lanka suffered a top-order collapse in their first innings on Day 3, but fought back to steady the ship after losing half their side for 90 runs. Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella slammed half-centuries apiece and combined to share an unbeaten stand for the sixth wicket to help the hosts regain control in their first innings.
India will be hoping to bundle out Sri Lanka as early as possible on Day 3 to head into their second innings with a healthy lead.