Nicholas Pooran Makes One of the Greatest Saves in T20 History

RR vs KXIP was all sorts of crazy. From big sixes, clutch moments, Tewatia’s redemption arc, it had everything that a T20 has to offer. One moment however that could now get overshadowed by the Tewaia’s incredible inning was the save made by Nicholas Pooran. At one point RR were cruising with Samson and Smith at the helm. Both were well settled and were hitting boundaries with ease. There were however no easy runs as KXIP fielders were giving their all in the fielding.

In the 8th over Samson hit Ashwin for what looked like a certain six only to be caught and thrown back by Pooran at long-on. At first instance, it looked like a decent save but replays show it was not an ordinary save. Here, have a look for yourselves.

Nicholas Pooran was fielding at long-on when Samson hit the shot. The ball was going way outside the boundary line. It could’ve been an easy six but Pooran had different plans. He caught the ball one-handed and threw it back all while being in the air. We have seen catches on the boundary line from the likes of Du Plessis, they’re always calculated and look pleasing to the eye, this one, however, takes it up a notch.

To figure out the trajectory of the ball, dive for it outside the boundary line, catch it and throw it back while falling on the ground makes it among the greatest saves in cricket history. The fact that the great South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes in their fielding coach makes this even better. Rhodes could not control his happiness after watching his fielders giving their all in the match. He was beaming with pride.

Sanju Samson has done something similar in the past albeit with two hands but something that demands the same level of athleticism. Interestingly both Pooran and Samson and wicket keepers.