Brilliance from Abhinav Mukund in the field leave fans overawed

Indian opener Abhinav Mukund failed to make the most out of the chance he got during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. A last moment injury to KL Rahul saw Mukund drafted in the playing eleven. He had every opportunity to make the moment count, just like his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan did. However, Mukund’s poor run of form for India continued as he perished cheaply in the first innings.

Make no mistake and do not judge the lad just yet. The veteran Tamil Nadu player covered up for the poor outing with some spectacular close in fielding on the second day of the Test. There were two instances of Abhinav Mukund showing some exceptional skills whilst fielding at the close in positions.

He showed what it means to have quick reflexes. The first of the two instances saw Mukund running out Upul Tharanga. The action perspired in the 34th over of the game when Ravichandran Ashwin bowled a flighted delivery to Tharanga. Tharanga danced down the track hoping to loft if over the cow corner.

However, the ball ended up dipping and Tharanga had a jab at it. The ball went in the direction of Mukund who was deployed close to the batsman. Mukund grabbed the ball and threw back the ball to the wicketkeeper in one motion. Wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha flipped the bails quickly to see Tharanga packing.

Sending back Dickwella too

The second instance of Mukund’s brilliance came five overs later. Niroshan Dickwella tried to defend a spinning and dipping R Ashwin delivery. All he managed to get was a faint outside the edge. The ball came dipping in the direction of the silly point. Abhinav Mukund dived front to complete a very good catch.

In the game, team India are in firm command after having taken 5 wickets of the opposition and having scored 600 runs in the first innings.

Watch it here

Brilliant catch @mukundabhinav great effort #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/14hiAkmwNh

— akhil gupta (@guptaakhil92) July 27, 2017