Cricket

WATCH: Tilak Varma takes a spectacular catch to dismiss Phil Salt despite collision with Naman Dhir during MI vs KKR clash | IPL 2024

May 3, 2024

In a high-stakes Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash on Friday (May 3) between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai kicked off the proceedings with a bang by disrupting the formidable opening partnership of Phil Salt (5) and Sunil Narine in the very first over.

Nuwan Thushara’s impact

Spearheading Mumbai’s attack, Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara played a pivotal role, catching Salt off guard with a deceptive change of pace. However, what followed was a moment of sheer drama and camaraderie. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Mumbai’s Hardik Pandya handed Thushara the new ball to set the tone for the match. Despite conceding 14 runs in the initial over, Thushara managed to scalp the prized wicket of Salt, who had been in ominous form.

Also READ: IPL 2024: Here’s why KKR pacer Harshit Rana not playing today’s game against MI

Dramatic catch unfolds: Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir

On the fourth delivery of the opening over, Salt’s attempted flick resulted in a leading edge, sending the white kookaburra spiraling high towards point. With a sense of urgency, Tilak Varma sprinted towards the deep, while Naman Dhir charged in from the boundary. As the ball hung ominously in the air, the inevitability of a collision loomed large.

In a split-second decision, Tilak somehow managed to position himself beneath the descending ball, securing it with a firm grip just as disaster seemed imminent. The impact of the catch sent both fielders tumbling to the ground in a chaotic attempt to grab the catch.

Naman propped up on one knee amidst the aftermath, wore a grim expression, seemingly resigned to the belief that the opportunity had slipped away. Nevertheless, to his surprise, Tilak emerged from the entanglement with a wide grin, his infectious laughter filling the air. Despite Naman’s mock frustration, playfully gesturing to his ears in jest, the two shared a moment of camaraderie, laughing off the incident as their teammates converged around them in a supportive huddle.