India made a robust begin with the ball on Day 3 of the primary Take a look at towards Sri Lanka on the Galle Worldwide Stadium, nevertheless it was captain Shubman Gill’s brilliance within the area that supplied one of many largest highlights of the opening session. With the hosts seeking to rebuild after shedding early wickets, Gill produced a sensational one-handed catch to take away Sri Lanka vice-captain Kamindu Mendis.
The dismissal got here shortly after India had been bowled out for 462, giving their bowlers a chance to place stress on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Mohammed Siraj and Manav Suthar made early inroads earlier than Kuldeep Yadav joined the assault and instantly made an influence.
Shubman Gill takes beautiful catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis
The breakthrough got here with the very first supply of Kuldeep’s seventeenth over. Kamindu superior down the pitch and tried to drive the ball by the off-side, however did not preserve the shot alongside the bottom. The ball flew in direction of the duvet area, the place Gill was stationed. Studying the trajectory rapidly, the India skipper moved throughout and launched himself in direction of his left because the ball started to dip quickly.
Gill stretched out his left hand at full size and managed to seize the ball simply earlier than it hit the bottom, finishing a spectacular one-handed diving catch. The hassle left Mendis disillusioned after the Sri Lankan batter had proven indicators of settling into the innings.
Right here’s the video:
Left hand, full stretch, absolute stunner from Shubman Gill! 🥵
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Additionally SL vs IND [WATCH]: Dhananjaya de Silva pulls off beautiful one-handed catch to dismiss Dhruv Jurel on Day 2
Shubman Gill’s fielding function continues in Galle
Gill’s spectacular catch was notably noteworthy contemplating his present fielding place. The India captain has spent a lot of the match stationed away from the slip cordon as he continues to handle blows to his finger sustained throughout preparations for the Take a look at. Gill had suffered one other blow throughout fielding drills whereas trying a catch within the slips forward of the warm-up match towards Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. Consequently, he has largely operated within the outfield in the course of the ongoing Take a look at.
Mendis’ dismissal additional strengthened India’s place as Sri Lanka misplaced one other necessary batter. Dinesh Chandimal had already departed with out making a big contribution, whereas Mendis had managed a few boundaries earlier than Gill’s excellent effort ended his keep. Sri Lanka’s state of affairs worsened additional earlier than the lunch break when captain Dhananjaya de Silva additionally fell. On the finish of the primary session, the hosts had been decreased to 141/5 after 40 overs, leaving India firmly accountable for the competition.
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