In the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Rinku Singh was slamming the bowlers of the Lucknow Super Giants in the slog overs, judging by the way Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were in the race to reach the playoffs of the tournament. But on the 119th ball of the innings, Evin Lewis of Lucknow Super Giants took a stunning catch and the whole scenario of the match changed.
Umesh Yadav could not score 3 runs on the last ball and got bowled. With this, Lucknow Super Giants not only made it to the playoffs by winning the match, but also ruined the plans of KKR to reach the top-4. It would not be wrong to say that the catch of Rinku Singh, caught by Evin Lewis, was also a turning point of the match.
Chasing a target of 211 runs in the last league match of the season for both the teams, KKR got off to a poor start. Captain Shreyas Iyer brought the team back into the competition with important partnerships with Nitish Rana and Sam Billings. After this it was Rinku Singh’s turn. KKR needed 21 runs in the last over to win.
The target was not easy, but Rinku Singh hit a four off the first ball of Marcus Stoinis, a six off the second ball and another six off the third ball to give hope of victory in the KKR camp. Taking 2 runs off the fourth ball, kept the strike with himself. It was an easy task for Rinku Singh to score three runs in the last two balls, but the 5th ball turned the story.
Marcus Stoinis’ 5th ball was a length ball outside off-stump. Rinku Singh tries to hit by lifting it in the direction of cover. Evin Lewis came running from deep point and dived to his left and took a one-handed catch. There is little to praise Lewis. Rinku Singh had to return to the pavilion in despair. Stoinis bowled a yorker on the last ball off-stump. Umesh Yadav tried to play on the side, but the ball hit the wicket while hitting the bat. You can also watch the video of Evin Lewis’s incredible catch below.
After the match, Quinton de Kock said, ‘I did not think that the match would be so close. KKR batsmen did a good counter attack. We were nervous in the last over, but Lewis’ catch put the match in our court. Marcus Stoinis said, ‘I was thinking that I wish I could bowl in the middle overs. Lewis should be given the player of the match for the way he took the catch.