Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur showed great skills near the boundary ropes during the ongoing 9th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 against Afghanistan. The match is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on October 11, 2023.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and chose to bat first. Afghanistan played the same XI that featured in the Bangladesh game. For India, R Ashwin was benched to bring in Shardul Thakur.
Afghanistan made a cautious start with Ibrahim Zadran doing more scoring in the opening wicket partnership of 32 runs. But he was also the first wicket to fall, as he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah for 22 runs with four fours.
The other dangerous opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had set himself for a big one, scoring 21 runs with 3 fours and 1 six.
On the 4th ball of the 13th over, as Rahmanullah Gurbaz attempted the pull, Hardik Pandya hurried him with the ball's pace. The ball took the leading edge and sailed in the direction of the deep square leg boundary.
In his initial effort, Shardul Thakur caught the ball, but he quickly realized that he had crossed the line. Showing great presence of mind, Thakur flicked the ball away as he stepped over the boundary rope. He came back in time to to complete the catch on the second attempt.
Here is the video:
