IPL 2021: Best catches in IPL history

The Indian Premier League 2020 set high standards of fielding. There were some stunners on the boundary, some brilliant one-handed catches, and some high balls which needed a stationary position to get a hold of it. But, fielding is one aspect in which the IPL has seen massive improvements. 

Since 2008, the stakes of a win have only become higher and higher in IPL. This has also made the fielders stay more active on the field, attempting to get all the catches. And as we all know, catches win matches. With new fielding drills and improvement in the outfield, players tend to perform much better on the field these days. As the IPL 2021 is set to begin on April 9, it is a great opportunity to look back at some of the best catches in the league.

Best catches in IPL history

1. Chris Lynn (KKR vs RCB, Sharjah, 2014)

In the 2014 match in Sharjah between Kolkata and Bangalore, it was not until the very last ball, that a definite result came up. RCB needed nine runs going into the last over, with AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel at the crease. The first three balls were singles, with ABD on strike for the fourth delivery, only six runs needed. 

Vinay Kumar, who was bowling the final over bowled a short delivery. The South African went for a big shot over the cow corner boundary with an intention to finish the match. But he failed to connect the ball with the exact middle of his bat. As the ball went in the air, the fielders on the boundary were in the game. 

Chris Lynn was standing inside the rope by just a few inches. He stationed himself perfectly, but his front foot slipped. However, even after slipping and almost falling, he didn’t lose sight of the ball, keeping his eyes on it. He took the catch while in the air and somehow managed to fall on his back, just centimeters within the boundary. KKR went onto win this game by just two runs and Lynn’s catch has been memorable since.