Cricket

RCB's Anuj Rawat Stuns with One-Handed Catch to Dismiss Sam CurranRoyal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) young wicket-keeper Anuj Rawat showcased his exceptional fielding skills during the IPL match against Punjab Kings in Bengaluru on Monday. In a moment of brilliance, Rawat grabbed a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss dangerous all-rounder Sam Curran.The incident occurred during the penultimate delivery of the 18th over. Pacer Yash Dayal's well-directed bouncer caught Curran off guard, forcing him to attempt a hook shot. However, Rawat's agility and quick reflexes proved too much for Curran.With a graceful leap, Rawat extended his right hand backwards in the air, plucking the ball out of thin air. The catch was a testament to Rawat's exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism.Curran, who was looking to accelerate the innings, had scored 23 runs off 17 balls, including three boundaries. Rawat's dismissal proved crucial in restricting Punjab Kings' late surge.In addition to his stunning catch, Rawat also contributed with the bat, scoring a brisk 25-ball 48 in the tournament opener against the Chennai Super Kings. His versatility as a wicketkeeper-batsman has made him a valuable asset for RCB."The communication has been very clear to me, as in batting down the order. As someone keeping wickets, you have to bat in the middle-order a lot," Rawat said in a pre-match presser.The Delhi cricketer, who has kept wickets for RCB in the last couple of matches, expressed his growing confidence in the role."Last season also, I kept wickets in a few games, and it gave me more confidence, and as this season goes on, I am looking forward to contributing more as a wicketkeeper batsman," Rawat added.Rawat's impressive performance against Punjab Kings highlights his potential as a rising star in the IPL. His ability to combine exceptional fielding with solid batting skills makes him a valuable asset for RCB and a player to watch in the upcoming matches.

In a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) opener, Punjab Kings emerged victorious over Delhi Capitals by four wickets, thanks to a counterattacking half-century from English all-rounder Sam Curran.Chasing a target of 175, Punjab Kings got off to a solid start with Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh contributing valuable runs. However, the dismissal of Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow put Punjab under pressure. Curran then stepped up with a blistering 47-ball 63, ably supported by Liam Livingstone's unbeaten 38 off 21 balls.Earlier, Delhi Capitals had struggled to post a formidable total, with Abhishek Porel's unbeaten 32 off 10 balls proving to be the highest individual score. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh had provided a strong start, but their dismissals and the loss of wickets at regular intervals prevented Delhi from building a substantial partnership.Punjab Kings' bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada, kept the Delhi batsmen in check, with Harshal Patel claiming the crucial wicket of Warner.Rishabh Pant, making his comeback after a horrific car accident, received a warm welcome from the crowd but failed to make a significant impact, scoring only 18 runs.Punjab Kings' victory was a testament to their resilience and the brilliance of Curran, who played a match-winning knock under pressure.