Watch: Ambati Rayudu's stunning one-handed catch for CSK versus RCB
If not with the bat, Ambati Rayudu found a way to contribute in the field for CSK in their IPL 2022 match versus RCB.
A dependable middle-order batter, Ambati Rayudu may have not yet arrived for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with bat in hand in IPL 2022, but the experienced cricketer made his presence felt with a memorable contribution in the field this Tuesday (April 12).
Positioned in the short cover region, Rayudu pulled off a stunning one-handed catch following an eye-catching dive in CSK's league-stage encounter against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
In an outstanding piece of fielding, the veteran India and CSK cricketer dived full-stretch to take the catch with his right hand off the bowling of his team's newly appointed skipper Ravindra Jadeja.
Inducing a top-edge against RCB's lower-order batter Aakash Deep, Jadeja saw Ambati Rayudu take one of the best catches of this year's IPL. Not renowned for his athleticism on the field, Rayudu pulled off a piece of brilliance that he would savour for life.
Ambati Rayudu unleashes full-stretched dive to secure a sensational catch
The catch was seen in full glory in the back half of the 16th over in RCB's run-chase. With 82 required off the remaining 26 balls in a hopeless equation, tailender Deep tried to nudge Jadeja's good length ball onto the on-side and get the more organised Dinesh Karthik back on strike.
But the delivery from Jadeja gripped on the surface and found the batter a little too early into his stroke, inducing an outside edge that flew to the right of the short cover fielder.
This is when Ambati Rayudu took one of the most amazing catches one would see, going one-handed at the ball in a full-stretched dive and successfully ending up with one of the catches of the tournament.
— Peep (@Peep_at_me) April 13, 2022
The only thing going in Ambati Rayudu's favour was the pace at which the ball arrived where he was placed, as it ballooned off the bat of the RCB batter and that gave him a better sight and time to go for the catch.
Otherwise, it was as difficult a grab as the short-statured Rayudu could've hoped to get. The fielder ended up making his catch look easy with an excellent dive and a one-handed grab that would stay with him for the remainder of the tournament.