WATCH: The Jonny Bairstow screamer that got rid of KL Rahul just before Lunch
England’s Jonny Bairstow pulled off a terrific grab to help his team dismiss India’s in-form opening batsman KL Rahul on Day 3 of the third Test at Headingley.
Bairstow perfected a one-handed diving catch to his right in the closing stages of the first session on Friday (August 27). The catch took place on the last delivery of the play before the lunch break where Rahul had a genuine nick to an outswinger from pacer Craig Overton.
Jonny Bairstow’s magnificent grab helps England reinforce dominance
Up until then, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma the two Indian openers had by and large weathered the English storm, playing out 18.5 overs for 34 runs through some solid defence and admirable patience.
The duo nearly survived till lunch until a beautiful delivery from Overton induced an outside edge of Rahul’s willow and the ball quickly went to the slips.
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Standing at the second slip position, Jonny Bairstow nearly misjudged the ball as it went through the tiny gap between him and first slip Joe Root.
Just in the nick of time, however, the cricketer, who is usually seen donning gloves behind the stumps, recovered and took an absolute screamer.
Stunner in the slips
Rahul has to depart courtesy Bairstow's blinder
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The moment the catch was taken, Bairstow was seen raising his hands in excitement while wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, Root and the rest of the England fieldsmen came around him in celebration while the jam-packed crowd in Leeds started applauding the catching effort.
Pacer Overton, who initially showed a thump-fist upon getting the better of Rahul, later seemed thankful of Bairstow and his effort as he would’ve missed out on a much-deserved wicket if not for the memorable diving grab.