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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Catches win matches!
In Twenty20 cricket, where every wicket matters and every run makes a difference, it is not surprising to see modern day fielders give everything to pull off a catch.
In the ongoing Indian Premier League, we have been witness to spectacular ones -- some of them virtually picked out of thin air -- which have proved crucial in the final outcome.
Here's a look at the best catches from the just-concluded first leg in the United Arab Emirates:
Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Irrespective of what Chris Lynn has done, or will do for the rest of the IPL, his amazing catch to dismiss AB de Villiers will go down in history as one of the best in the sport.
The Australian initially lost his footing, as he slipped, but he did well to regain his balance, stayed low and arched his body perfectly to the maximum, while ensuring his feet did not touch the rope, to complete one of the greatest catches ever seen.
That catch helped Kolkata Knight Riders bag the crucial wicket of de Villiers in the final over and win the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore!
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Steven Smith (Rajasthan Royals)
Like all Australian cricketers, Steven Smith is a livewire on the field.
His catch that dismissed Brendon McCullum of Chennai Super Kings was amazing.
He ran back from mid-wicket and, even as two other fielders approached the ball, kept his cool to pouch it despite taking a tumble.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Sachin Rana (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Haryana fast bowler Sachin Rana took a sharp catch on the boundary to dismiss Mumbai Indians' dangerman Kieron Pollard.
The big-hitting West Indian played his trademark lofted shot, off leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, and just as it looked set to clear the boundary, Rana completed a superb overhead catch with a well-timed leap inches away from the rope.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Mitchell Starc (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Not only was the catch stunning, but the dismissal very crucial.
Lanky Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, fielding on the fine leg boundary, covered a lot of ground before diving full length to his left and pulling off a sensational catch to send back Kings XI Punjab dangerman Glenn Maxwell.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Mitchell Starc (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
It seemed lightning struck Kings XI Punjab twice in the form of Starc that day.
Just a couple of overs earlier, he had taken a splendid catch on the fine leg boundary, sprinting to his left and flinging himself in the air to dismiss Wriddhiman Saha.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
Faf du Plessis gave ample proof why South Africans are rated among the best fielders in the game.
Delhi Daredevils' Murali Vijay lofted Mohit Sharma over mid-off and for a moment it looked as if he would clear the fielder. But du Plessis ran back and threw himself back to complete an unbelievable catch.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
Manoj Tiwary also perished to du Plessis's brilliance in the field soon after.
This time the South African had to dive full length to his left at mid-off as the Delhi Daredevils batsman mistimed his inside-out lofted shot over the covers.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)
It looked as if Chennai Super Kings were having an exhibition of catches against Delhi Daredevils.
Suresh Raina, one of India's best fielders, had to fling himself to his right to come up with another brilliant catch which saw Delhi Daredevils opener Mayank Agarwal take the long walk back to the pavilion.
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10 BEST catches from IPL first leg in the UAE
Morne Morkel (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Traditionally, fast bowlers are not among the best fielders on the park.
But Morne Morkel seems to have quashed that thinking with the sensational catch he took to claim the big wicket of fellow-South African and Kings XI Punjab's batting star David Miller.
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10 BEST catches in IPL first leg in UAE
Ben Hilfenhaus (Chennai Super Kings)
Whether it is catching or fielding, never write off an Aussie.
Veteran Aussie pacer Ben Hilfenhaus produced a moment of magic on the field to dismiss compatriot and Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Watson.
Watson went after left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja but miscued his stroke. Hilfenhaus, at long-off, timed his leap to perfection for a superb catch inches inside the boundary.