Watch: Suresh Raina makes a stunning save on the ropes

Team India faced a crushing defeat at the hands of England in the first T20I at Kanpur. However, there was one moment of brilliance that the team members will keep replaying. Ace middle-order batsman Suresh Raina made a stunning attempt on the boundary ropes to save a certain six. Raina’s fielding abilities are pretty well known and acknowledged.

He is one of the most prolific fielders in the Indian team and the same was evident yet again. The action perspired towards the fag end of the England’s innings. English skipper Eoin Morgan was cruising towards his half century and was batting on 41. Young leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came into bowl and bowled a fullish delivery.

Morgan took very little time to hoick the ball in the mid wicket area with a slog sweep. Suresh Raina, who was patrolling the mid wicket region, leapt in air to get hold of the airborne ball. However, soon after catching the ball, he realised that he might cross the boundary ropes. Raina had lost his balance and was certain to topple over the ropes.

Hence, he cleverly threw the ball back in the playing area. In the meantime, the English batsmen had sneaked a couple of runs. However, Raina’s brilliant effort had thereby saved his team 4 runs as the ball looked set for a certain six.

Earlier in the match, India had a poor start with opener KL Rahul missing out on a good score yet again. His early departure saw Raina and skipper Virat Kohli settle things down to some extent. A middle order slump saw India’s total dwindle further.

Owing to MS Dhoni’s late unbeaten 27-ball 36, India managed to score 147/7 in their 20 overs. England were off to a flying start with their openers Jason Roy and Sam Billings attacking the Indian bowlers. Chahal tried to pull things back with a double strike but that was not enough to stop the English march. Skipper Eoin Morgan scored a gritty fifty and was well supported by Joe Root’s run-a-ball 46 that helped England win by 7 wickets in hand.

Watch the video here (via BCCI):