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Top 5 Catches in ODIs in 2023

 

We have often heard the phrase in cricket that catches win you matches, and it is one golden rule that makes your way easier to win a game of cricket. Cricket is a game in which luck plays a big role, whether you are batting or bowling, but in fielding the element is luck is very little which is why it becomes one of the most crucial aspects of cricket that you need to master to create a big impact on a match.

2023 has been a thrilling year for ODI cricket and with the recent ODI World Cup 2023 ending on such a high, it has produced some exciting ODI cricket. Before the year ends, let us look back at the top 5 catches in ODI in 2023 that changed the course of a match on its head:

1. Travis Head’s World Cup-winning catch

Travis Head’s catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 is a classic example of the phrase, “Catches win you matches”. It could be considered one of the iconic catches of the ODI cricket history, given the situation of the match and the gravity of the situation. 

India was cruising along at 76-1 in just 9.3 overs on their home ground in a World Cup final and in such a situation Travis Head kept his nerves to take a stunning backward running catch from cover. 

Not only the distance that he covered to get to the ball was amazing, but also the balance he kept while latching onto the catch under such an intense environment was a commendable effort, which makes it the best catch in the ODI in 2023 and one of the most iconic catches in ODI cricket history.

2. Sean Abbott’s majestic one-handed catch against South Africa

The Australian Cricket Team is known for their brilliant fielding and amazing athleticism on the field and Sean Abott’s dumbfounded effort to depart South Africa’s Marco Jansen is a riveting example of it. 

During the third One-day between Australia and South Africa at Potchefstroom, Australia bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott surprised everyone with his one-handed stunner to dismiss South Africa’s Marco Jansen. 

Marco Jansen belted the shot towards the deep covers region thinking that he had found the gap but Abbott who was at deep extra covers covered a huge ground and leapt athletically to take a stunning one-handed catch.

3. Rassie van-der Dussen’s stunner in the semi-finals

In the hard-fought ODI World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa, a moment of magic in the field occurred, courtesy of Rassie van der Dussen. With Australia cruising to an easy semi-final victory it was van der Dussen’s unbelievable catch that sent home their key batsman, Mitchell Marsh, and sparked a wave of hope for the Proteas.

Mitchell Marsh played an uppish drive off the bowling off Kagiso Rabada, though not well timed but the ball was still travelling at a brisk speed. But Rassie van-der Dussen timed his jump to perfection and pulled off a stunner instil some life in a one-sided affair.

4. Haris Rauf’s amazing reflexes

Pakistan team is not known for their fielding, but Pakistani paceman Haris Rauf with his amazing reflexes unleashed moments of magic that put the whole stadium on the edge of their seats. 

The scene was set for a nail-biting finish in the tense chase between South Africa and Pakistan. With Keshav Maharaj holding firm at one end, Lungi Ngidi joined him as the ninth wicket for South Africa, inching closer to the target. 

First, Rauf bowled a cunning delivery that pitched on middle and off, then snaked away late. Ngidi, aiming for a big hit, could only manage a leading edge. Haris Rauf pounced on the chance and took a jaw-dropping one-handed catch which will be remembered for quite some time.

5. Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket-keeping masterclass

Amidst a challenging World Cup campaign for Bangladesh, veteran wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim provided a rare spark of brilliance with an astounding diving catch to dismiss Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis.

Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam fires a delivery that swings away from Mendis, enticing the Sri Lankan opener to take a flashy slash which resulted in the ball sailing towards the slips. 

But Mushfiqur Rahim struck into action with his lightning-fast reflexes to make a full-length dive to his left and caught the ball in his gloves just inches from the ground right in front of the surprised first slip fielder. Although he is 36 years old this effort from Bangladesh testifies that he still has a lot left in him.