The Top 3 relay catches in IPL

Staffed by a few of the best cricketers worldwide, the IPL has accumulated a wealth of talent in all departments, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. The fielding aspect assumes more importance today in competitive cricket than ever before. In T20 cricket, where margins are narrow, inspired displays often prove to be the deciding factor in a game, having a significant impact on the results. Relay catches are the ones that are completed in partnership by a pair of fielders who ensure that the ball remains in play. Such fielding spectacles are usually seen near the boundary rope, requiring a high presence of mind and efficient teamwork to be executed successfully. Here's a look back at the relay catches taken in IPL that changed the result of the games.

Jos Buttler– Riyan Parag (2022)

Jos Buttler is primarily a wicketkeeper; however, he is not behind the wickets in the current season while the skipper Sanju Samson keeps for Rajasthan Royals. However, Buttler's stunner without the gloves will leave you in complete awe. In the match between RR and LSG, on the first ball of the 13th over of LSG run-chase, Krunal Pandya played a lofted shot towards long-off on the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin. While it looked like the ball would travel across the ropes, Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag teamed up to take a relay catch to dismiss Krunal Pandya, who was posing a threat to their team's win.

The ball went a few meters to the right of Jos Buttler. Jos ran across to take the catch, but suddenly he realised that he might cross the boundary ropes. Buttler showed the fabulous presence of mind and threw the ball inside the ground just before losing his balance to be caught by Riyan Parag, who was also present at the exact boundary line. Parag jumped in the air to complete the catch. With this outstanding team effort of these two, RR sealed a 24-run win over the Super Giants.

Glenn Maxwell  –  Trent Boult(2018)

In their last match of the 2018 edition of IPL, Mumbai Indians needed to defeat Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) to keep their hopes for playoffs alive. While chasing 175 runs for victory, the 4-time IPL champions lost their hard-hitting batsman Kieron Pollard in the tenth over. The West Indies' power-hitter attempted to hit leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for a flat six over long-on. Glenn Maxwell, positioned in that region, grabbed the powerfully hit ball with both hands but could not control his body from crossing the ropes due to the momentum. However, before falling over the ropes, he threw the ball towards Trent Boult, positioned at long-off, who completed the catch without any mistake. This was a crucial wicket for DD as Pollard is considered one of the most destructive batters in the world.

Four overs later, when Mumbai Indians' skipper Rohit Sharma was all set to take his team over the line, the duo of Glenn Maxwell and Trent Boult combined to create a magical catch once again. Rohit Sharma miscued an off-cutter from Harshal Patel long and high. But the ball did not go with enough power to clear Maxwell. Maxwell and Boult pulled off another spectacular relay catch. The two impressively turned the match towards their side with these outstanding catches. They achieved this feat twice in the same game; their commendable effort gave a memorable experience and contributed to Mumbai's group-stage exit in IPL 2018.

Tim Southee – Karun Nair (2015)

Tim Southee and Karun Nair are known for their excellent fielding skills. In the 2015 season of IPL, both the fielding bests showed a brilliant display of coordination, leaving everyone stunned. In their first match of the season, Rajasthan Royals clashed against George Bailey-led Kings XI Punjab. Asked to chase a target of 163 runs to start their campaign on a winning note, Kings XI Punjab needed 32 runs off the last seven balls when captain George Bailey smashed James Faulkner's length ball towards the long-on fence.

The ball was surely destined to go over the ropes; however, Tim Southee plucked it out of thin air before popping it back into the field of play. Karun Nair, who came running in from mid-wicket, showed the commendable presence of mind to grab the ball with his right hand just inches above the turf. Thus, they successfully sent Bailey back to the pavilion. This crucial wicket for RR was taken at a critical stage, and Bailey seemed settled on the crease. Thus, RR sealed a clean win over the Kings with this wicket.