Awareness of the boundary ropes helped me take that catch: Manish Pandey

Indian middle-order batsman Manish Pandey has revealed how he took the stunning catch at the boundary during the third ODI against Australia with utmost cool. The athletic fielder brought all his skills to the fore to take the catch of the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb on Sunday. The wicket came at a crucial time for the Men in Blue as the visitors were looking to go past 300-run mark in the final few overs.

Pandey displayed his superhuman efforts in the 48th over when the slower ball from Jasprit Bumrah was skied high by Handscomb to long-off. The trajectory of the ball was taking it over the ropes for a maximum. But Pandey got around to his right and took a reverse cupped catch and when he realised that he was going over the boundary, he threw it up back in the air and then nonchalantly came back in and completed the sensational catch without any fuss.

I knew I could take the catch

In an exclusive interview with sportswallah, Manish expressed what was going through his mind while the ball was in the air and coming towards him. “I knew I could take the catch when the ball was in the air. It was important to get a wicket at that time as Handscomb was still new at the crease. I had the knowledge that I was near the boundary ropes and I think that awareness helped me take that catch,” he said.

He had failed miserably in the first two games but contributed with the bat finally albeit at number 6. Coming in at a crucial juncture when the game was hanging in balance, he played with patience and took India over the line and sealed the series. He was satisfied that he could contribute to the team’s win this time around.

“Important win for us. Glad that I could contribute with the bat. Great team effort overall. Would want to continue the form in the next games too,” he added.

Manish needs to be more consistent now and has to grab whatever opportunities come his way to cement his place in the Indian side. The competition for the middle order spot is increasing by the day as KL Rahul has already been benched. Also, the ousted cricketers Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh are vying to return to international cricket and there is a possibility that the selectors might include both the veterans in the upcoming series.