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Former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag lauded Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) player Nicholas Pooran, who saved a certain six with his acrobatic fielding at the boundary rope against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday.
It all happened in the eighth over of RR’s chase, when Sanju Samson smashed one of the Murugan Ashwin’s deliveries for a sure-shot six but Pooran at deep mid-wicket stunned everyone with his magnificent effort.
The West Indies player made a full-stretched dive over the rope to catch the ball. He grabbed it with his left hand and, a millisecond before falling onto the ground, Pooran flicked the white leather inside the boundary rope to save four runs.
The save we needed and deserved in 2020! 😍👌
— Hotstar Canada (@hotstarcanada)
The fielding coach of KXIP, Jonty Rhodes, was seen jumping out of his dugout seat and bowing down in respect. On-air commentators couldn’t believe what they witnessed and termed Pooran’s effort as the ‘Best Ever’ in the fascinating game.
That there is a pride of lions 🦁 🦁 🦁 🦁
— Hotstar Canada (@hotstarcanada)
Even the ‘God of Cricket’ Tendulkar couldn’t stop himself from praising Pooran for the fantastic fielding. He took to Twitter and wrote: “This is the best save I have seen in my life. Simply incredible!!”
This is the best save I have seen in my lif💛e. Simply incredible!🍰! 👍
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Following Tendulkar, former India opener Sehwag also appreciated Pooran in his own style. He said: “Gravity naamak cheez hi bhula di. Aisa kaise. Defied Gravity, Pooran. What a save.”
Gravity naamak cheez hi bhula di. Aisa kaise.
Defied Gravity, Pooran. What a save.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Here is how others reacted:
How did you d💛o that, Pooran??? Are you wearing a cape under your t-shirt?? Haven’t seen anything like this ever.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
That save from Pooran was unreal!
Just goes on to show the high standards this format has reached.
Brilliant!— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349)
Nicꦫholas Pooran has just pulled off one of the great saves in the game ജof cricket. Unbelievable awareness.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
unbelievable bit of fielding! 🔥
— Sam Billings (@sambillings)
Best piece of fielding I’ve ever seen!!
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel)
"That's the best I have seen in a T20 game!" –
Describe this save in one emoji! 👇
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
Nicholas Pooran …😳😳😳😳😳…. not sure I've ever seen better
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris)
Pooran has just produced one of the greatest fielding saves I have ever seen. That was almost two yards over the rope and to pull it back….Wow! Where is this standard of fielding going to take us next….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Meanwhile, RR chased down the highest-ever target (224) in IPL history to win their second match of the ongoing thirteenth season. The joint efforts from Steve Smith (50) and Sanju Samson (85) laid the foundation of the epic chase, which was followed by the heroics of Rahul Tewatia (53).
