Watch: Ajinkya Rahane takes a stunner to dismiss Joe Root

Indian slip fielding suffered a great deal after the retirement of the likes of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman it took them time but the new generation of Test cricketers are gradually getting things right in the slip cordon and grabbing some key catches. One of the top names in the Indian team as far as slip catching is concerned is Anjikya Rahane. The Mumbai batsman has taken some magnificent catches to ensure bowlers get wickets on most occasions when they manage to induce an edge.

The India vs England 3rd Test was leaning in favor of the hosts at the end of day 3 but it was Joe Root who stood there and ensured the lower order didn’t collapse and from a position where they carried the deficit eventually managed to take a lead. Root was batting on 78 and had faced 179 deliveries, more importantly, got into a crucial partnership with Haseeb Hamid and formed a resistive barrier. It was then that Ravindra Jadeja produced another beauty.

It was pitched around the off-stump and turned away from the batsman. Root who had played almost a flawless knock thus far pushed at it and it took the outside edge of his bat. Before anybody could think of anything or react, Ajinkya Rahane standing at first slip had the ball in his grips. It was clearly a reflex catch, he saw the edge and reacted by extending his left hand and got hold of it. Rahane hardly had microseconds of time in his hands but he pulled it off. A blinder one can say.

The bowler and the wicketkeeper were elated by the effort and Rahane didn’t go extravagant celebrating it, just kissed the ball and enjoyed the wicket. This was a much-needed breakthrough and the Indian bowlers then bowled out England for 263.

Watch: Ajinkya Rahane takes a stunner to dismiss Joe Root: