A common saying says that catches win games. More so in the T20 World Cup format of cricket, which is said to be more of a batsman’s game. But, despite all the big hits and big runs by each team’s batters, it’s those catches that change the way a game goes, just like the old saying goes.
Several thrilling, amazing catches by fielders have been seen at previous T20 World Cups, and one can expect more of the same when the 2022 competition begins on October 16 in Australia.
In preparation for the next T20 World Cup in 2022, here are some of the best catches from the previous ones:
India Vs South Africa, 2007 T20 World Cup
India was playing South Africa in the first T20 World Cup (then called the World T20) in Durban in 2007. After 20 overs, India had scored 153/5, and South Africa was trying to get to 154.
Herschelle Gibbs was the first player to leave for the Proteas in the second over of the chase. Three balls later, then-captain Graeme Smith was the second player to leave, and RP Singh got the important wicket.
It was a wide, swinging ball from RP Singh, and it hit the outside of Smith’s bat and went flying. The fielder who was standing in the gully area, Dinesh Karthik, made a flying move to his left and caught the ball with both hands. India won the game by 37 runs in the end.
Scotland Vs South Africa, 2009 T20 World Cup
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In their 2009 World T20 match, Kyle Coetzer did a great job against South Africa as the Scots got rid of Mark Boucher in their 2009 World T20 match.
Boucher tried to hit the ball over long-on, but Coetzer caught it with his right hand while he was falling backward. South Africa scored 211/5, but Scotland couldn’t catch up and were bowled out for just 81.
South Africa Vs Pakistan, 2012 T20 World Cup
AB de Villiers made a superb catch to dismiss Imran Nazir in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Nazir shot a pull against Steyn. De Villiers was on the back foot and sprinted forward to capture it. Pakistan won by two wickets after chasing down 134 in two balls.
Scotland Vs Zimbabwe, 2016 T20 World Cup
At the 2016 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe’s Richmond Mutumbami was the target of a sensational catch by Scotland’s Michael Leask.
Even though Leask dropped the ball at first, it went toward the outfield fence, and his quick thinking let him reach out and catch it the second time.
Ireland Vs Namibia, 2021 T20 World Cup
When Ireland played Namibia in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Kevin O’Brien made a spectacular catch. Zane Green was up to bat with two outs, and O’Brien made a great diving catch in the middle of the field when Green mistimed his drive. After the mistimed drive opened a window, O’Brien was able to make a great catch by changing direction.
O’Brien tried his best, but Namibia beat their goal of 126 with eight wickets to spare, so his efforts were fruitless.
