India has had a long affair with backward-running catches, be it Kapil Dev’s screamer in the ’83 World Cup final or Rohit Sharma’s heartbreak 40 years later. Radha Yadav’s screamer in Dubai may now join that list as the substitute took a blinder to help keep India’s T20 World Cup dream alive.
India cruised to a mammoth victory against Sri Lanka Women in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ground stage encounter on Wednesday on the back of half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur followed by a catastrophic Lankan top-order collapse. The foundation for the Lions’ downfall was set right-away by substitute fielder Radha Yadav as the youngster took a screamer on just the second ball of the innings to hand India the opening breakthrough in spectacular fashion.
Vishmi Gunaratne was up against Renuka Singh Thakur and tried to take on the pacer early by rushing down the track and slamming one down the ground. However, the opener could only manage a leading edge but much to her fortune, the Kookaburra seemed to be sailing well past cover. Nevertheless, Radha stationed at point made the effort to turn around and chase the white rock even with it drifting away and just when it seemed beyond reach, the 24-year-old slung herself forward and the ball somehow stuck in her left hand. The entire Indian contingent was ectstatic as they rushed towards the prone Radha to offer their congratulations by stacking on top of her, while the coaching staff stood up on their feet to applaud the brilliant effort.
Twitterati was equally in shock as they took to social media to express their admiration.
What a screamer!
Lady Hardik
Hardik Pandya 💪
Radha Yadav💪#INDvBAN #INDvsSL #T20WorldCup #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/HhD6vUxjVx— VIKAS THAKUR ‘क्षत्रिय’ (@vikas6918) October 9, 2024
Hardik Pandya 🤝Radha Yadav💙#INDvsSL #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/ZsV17dfl7j
— 🚩🇮🇳 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐇 𝟏𝟖 ❤️ (@_Goat_Kohli_18) October 9, 2024
Just wow
Greatest
#INDvsSL ONE OF THE GREATEST CATCH IN WOMENS T20 WC HISTORY!
A big shoutout to #AshaShobna for taking 3 wickets restricting SL and making them clueless.
– Take a bow, Radha Yadav🌟 #WhateverItTakes
pic.twitter.com/vb81GHJxUT— Shreya Aradhya (@ShreyaAradhya) October 9, 2024
Arundhati Strikes 3rd wicket for India, 88/9
Another beautiful catch by Radha Yadav 👏 pic.twitter.com/HGNOT4BG6E— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) October 9, 2024
Take a bow
Substitute
Radha Yadav, the substitute fielder, takes her 3rd catch….
Thank God the team management had some brains to put the best fielder out as a substitute #T20WorldCup— aman (@bilateral_bully) October 9, 2024
Radha Yadav on field today 🔥🔥🔥🇮🇳💙🙌
— Shatakshi Mishra (@shats_04) October 9, 2024
Megnet hands
radha yadav with her magnet hands 😩😩❤️
— megha ✨ (@GirlBerryman) October 9, 2024
