WATCH: KKR’s Sheldon Jackson enters catch of IPL 2022 race with unbelievable one-handed take
Late into the IPL 2022 encounter on Wednesday (March 30), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wicketkeeper Sheldon Jackson took arguably the catch of the tournament.
Jackson certainly entered the race to finish off with the best take in the competition with an unbelievably good catch off an inside edge against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
The batter concerned was RCB’s West Indies recruit Sherfane Rutherford, whose attempted swing of the willow was undone by a sharp inswinger from KKR speedster Tim Southee. Southee got one to tail late into the left-hander, who could only inside edge the ball to the right of the waiting Jackson.
With the seamer operating from the over-the-wicket angle across the left-hander, Sheldon Jackson had understandably positioned himself slightly wide outside the off-stump. With that in mind, the catch from the KKR keeper looks even more amazing as he managed to dive across to his far-right and pulled off a one-handed grab only inches above the turf.
Sheldon Jackson was on fire with the gloves in hand for KKR against RCB.
Sheldon Jackon’s excellent keeping skills give KKR timely breakthrough
As RCB needed 23 off the next 16 balls, time was running out for KKR, who required another breakthrough to keep themselves in the contest.
This is where Southee’s outstanding swing bowling combined with Sheldon Jackson’s exceptional keeping skills to provide them one and send Rutherford back to the pavillion.
A quiet, composed character, it is easy to lose sight of Sheldon Jackson in the KKR jersey, especially in a side featuring multiple more flamboyant cricketers. But the experienced Saurashtra cricketer has been magnificent on his return to the IPL with his keeping.
Before this Rutherford grab, not many could notice Jackson’s presence, which is always a positive sign for a keeper as it signals the job done well without giving any fooder to your naysayers over a drop catch.
The 35-year-old is making his comeback to the IPL after a long, painstaking four-year gap. He was bought by KKR for a sum of INR 60 lakhs after his stand-out performances for Saurashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 2022.