Watch, Duleep Trophy | Ruturaj Gaikwad’s gravity-defying take leaves on-song Riyan Parag dejected 

India A did not take much time to pack the tail of India C on the morning session of the third day with the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led unit adding just 14 runs to finish with 234 runs on the board. In response, the A side lost Pratham Singh early, courtesy of Gaurav Yadav’s brilliant bowling. While Tilak Varma and Mayank Agarwal got starts, the duo failed to blossom, losing their wickets to Anshul Kamboj on either side of the Lunch break. Riyan Parag entered the fray with Shashwat Rawat and stabilised the stage of the table toppers forging a 105-run fourth wicket stand before the opposition skipper did something special to send the Assam batter packing to the dugout. 

The second ball of the 49th over saw Gaurav Yadav come over the wicket and hit the deck wide outside the stumps to Parag. As the batter looked to dance down the ground, he had to reach out for the widish ball and therefore the stroke came off the bat’s cue end. The ball marooned behind the extra cover region but surprisingly Gaikwad positioned himself a few yards behind the inner circle. The 27-year-old traced back and leaped backward on his waist to get hold of the red rock with his left hand. He not only grasped the ball firmly but also maintained himself despite the body thudding the ground. Seeing the incredible catch from the skipper, Parag was utterly disgusted with himself and walked off the field with a score of 73.

One-handed Stunner!