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[Watch] Mitchell Santner’s ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Catch Stuns Hashmatullah Shahidi

image-lnvuwpziMitch Santner (AP Photos)

New Zealand's understated allrounder Mitchell Santner showcased his brilliance in the field during the ICC World Cup 2023 league-stage encounter against Afghanistan on Wednesday (October 18) in Chennai.

Santner took a stunning one-handed catch during the Afghan run-chase after skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi miscued an attempted hook shot off a steep rising bouncer from Kiwi pace merchant Lockie Ferguson in the 14th over.

The tall-statured cricketer timed his jump to absolute perfection even as Shahidi's top-edged pull shot threatened to evade his grasp at the short mid-wicket region. Santner's catch looked so special in context that he had to turn around and sprint sideways to reach within an arm's distance of the ball.

Once there, the BlackCaps player unleashed a stupendous dive and made use of every last inch of his height to grab hold of the white ball. It was a remarkable catch that helped New Zealand dismiss the in-form Shahidi and take a stronger grip on the contest, defending an imposing first-innings total of 288/6.

Watch: Santner's Spectacular Catch For New Zealand



The terrific grab arrived off the penultimate ball of the 14th over during the Afghanistan run-chase. With Ferguson following Shahidi's body on another menacing bouncer that got too big on the left-hander, the Afghan skipper could only manage to balloon the ball to the vacant left side of the short mid-wicket fielder, Santner.

The earnest batter may have survived the false stroke on his attempted hook to the on-side if not for an excellent fielding effort by Santner, who glanced at the ball while it traveled in the air and sprinted sideways before unleashing a perfect dive to secure the breakthrough. 

Santner made a tough catch look easy with his spectacular effort, making wonderful use of his long legs and height to first cover the ball despite starting in an awkward position and then diving valiantly to complete a stunning one-handed grab.

New Zealand would've been delighted with the wicket of the in-form Shahidi, as the anchor left-hander is an ideal man to guide his side in a stiff run-chase. His wicket reduced Afghanistan to 43/2 with a further 246 runs required for the Asian giantkillers to bag another major upset.