Australian stand-in skipper Steve Smith has pulled off one of the most spectacular slips catchers you’ll ever see in an absolute thrashing of India in the second ODI.
Smith’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss paid dividends early, with left-armer Mitchell Starc tearing through India’s top order as the hosts were bowled out for 117.
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The score was India’s fourth lowest at home and lowest against Australia in India. It is also the third lowest score in matches between Australia and India and took just one more ball than the nation’s 1981 capitulation for 64 in Sydney as they were fired out in just 26 overs.
Australia’s openers Mitchell Marsh (66 off 36 balls) and Travis Head (51 off 30 balls) made short work of the total, cruising to 0/121 off 11 overs. It was the sixth time Australia had won an ODI by 10 wickets, and in their 10 wicket wins, the most number of balls remaining with 234. It was also the third most balls remaining in an Australian ODI win.
The entire match lasted just 37 overs but was set up by a brilliant bowling performance.
Starc had Shubman Gill out for a duck after a Marnus Labuschagne catch before the Aussie paceman dismissed Rohit Sharma (13), Suryakumar Yadav (0) and KL Rahul (9) to have India reeling at 4/48.
But Smith would steal the show in the 10th over with a stunning catch to dismiss India superstar Hardik Pandya.
Pandya edged a length delivery from Sean Abbott into the slips cordon. Smith, who was standing at a conventional second slip position, dived full-stretch to his right and plucked the ball in his right hand close to the ground to dismiss Pandya for one.
TV commentator Sanjay Manjrekar cheekily suggested it could be the “catch of the century” – to which former Aussie short-form skipper Aaron Finch responded: “It’s not far off.
“An absolute blinder from Steve Smith,” former Aussie skipper Finch said on the broadcast.
“Who needs three slips when you’ve got Steve Smith standing there?
“He’s been known over the years to take them one-handed beauties. Last game there was a lot that just got to his fingertips, but this one … straight into the hand. Almost catches it behind him – brilliant.”
Former Indian quick Ajit Agarkar added: “I don’t think he could’ve gone any further. That; s at full stretch, one-handed, flying to his right.
“You’ll never get tired of watching that.”
Earlier, the Aussies confirmed David Warner’s international return had been put on hold.
The expectation was Warner would play both the second and third ODIs against India after he suffered a fractured elbow while also sustaining a concussion in the Test series.
But the Australian opener wasn’t named for the second ODI after he was ruled with a corked quad.
Alex Carey returned to take the gloves and replace Josh Inglis, while Glenn Maxwell was replaced by paceman Nathan Ellis.
Originally published as ‘Catch of the century’ stuns as Australia dominate India
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