Gravity - Defying catches in IPL 2022

With the virtue of talent coming in worldwide, it is no wonder that the Indian Premier League adjudges several stunners every season. The way the fifteenth edition of IPL has progressed so far shows that we will witness more stunning catches.

The level of catching in the IPL has been phenomenal. From mid-air catches to sensational running catches, some of the fielding efforts this season have been jaw-dropping. The on-field performance bar has been set very high, from youngsters pulling off high-flyers to the old horses showing sharp reflexes. Let us go through some of the gravity-defying catches taken this season.

JOS BUTTLER (RR vs PBKS)

The English wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is ruling this season, and there seems no wrong that he can do in this edition. Owning the Orange cap in the season, Jos is shining brilliantly with his bat. However, along with his bat, he is also famed for his prolific abilities on the field. In match 52 of the tournament, where RR clashed against PBKS, we witnessed some sensational fielding display from the Englishman. It was the final over of the Powerplay, and PBKS opener Shikhar Dhawan was looking to make the most of the fielding restrictions against R Ashwin. As Dhawan tried to chip Ashwin's first ball over the in-field, Buttler, who was mid-on, clinched a sensational catch out of thin air. As the ball was going over his head, Jos Buttler moved back to stretch his body to total capacity and grabbed the ball out of nowhere. He then rolled over and landed on his shoulders to perfectly cushion the grab. Everyone was stunned by this one-handed blinder of Buttler.

AMBATI RAYUDU (CSK vs RCB)

CSK batter Ambati Rayudu is known for his explosive batting; however, what caught everyone's attention in the match against RCB was Rayudu's sensational catch at the short cover. Against Jadeja, Akash Deep tried to push the delivery at extra cover but was undone by the bounce. Rayudu, present in the extra short cover, anticipated the ball coming to him. He went airborne to his right, got parallel to the ground, and took this sensational catch. Grabbing the ball with just three fingers, Rayudu landed on his elbow but still managed to get hold of the ball. Rayudu's miraculous effort made everyone jump out of their seats. At the ripe age of 36, the veteran player left everyone stunned with this fantastic effort. 

Devdutt Padikkal (RR vs DC)

Although RR opener Devdutt Padikkal has had a hot and cold season with the bat so far, he has shown some exceptional fielding displays. One of his fielding marvels was on display in a fixture against Delhi Capitals in Match 34. He took a skier to get rid of opposition skipper Rishabh Pant who tried to play a Prasidh Krishna delivery across during the match. However, he got a top edge, and the ball went miles up into the night sky. The ball stayed up in the air for a long, long time, and when it came down, Padikkal was underneath it. Padikkal looked to misjudge the trajectory as the ball came down but then lunged forward and grabbed it. With fist bumps and smiles all around, Rajasthan Royals' celebrated Rishabh's dismissal courtesy of a superb take from Padikkal.

Rahul Tripathi (SRH vs GT)

Rahul Tripathi took a blinder right at the beginning of the 21st match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. His superb catch left even Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with everyone, absolutely stunned. Tripathi, positioned at the covers, took this blinder of a catch during the start of the Gujarat Titans' innings. Shubman Gill hit the ball through covers and thought it to be a boundary. Tripathi had other plans as he went airborne, dived to his left and completed this ripper of a catch. As he put both his arms up in celebration of the catch, Rahul's effort was followed by a massive cheer from the fans and stunned expressions of excitement by the commentators on-air.