IPL 2022: Krunal Pandya grabs a perfectly-judged catch on the boundary to dismiss Jonny Bairstow, kisses the ball to celebrate

Krunal Pandya had a field day against Punjab Kings on Friday evening. The Lucknow Super Giants all-rounder emerged as the player of the match courtesy of a brilliant bowling spell to win the game for his side.

Lucknow Super Giants met Punjab Kings in the 42nd match of the IPL 2022 at the MCA Stadium, Pune. It was also the first-ever meeting between the two sides in the mega-event.

After winning the toss, Punjab Kings’ skipper Mayank Agarwal invited the Men from Lucknow to bat first. The bowlers backed his decision as they restricted the opposition to a modest 153/8 in 20 overs. While Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda played vital knocks, the likes of KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya, and Marcus Stoinis failed with the bat.

However, Lucknow Super Giants were ready to defend the total, and they produced a solid bowling performance for blowing the opposition away. Punjab Kings could only manage 133/8 in 20 overs to succumb to a 20-run defeat.

All-rounder Krunal Pandya was the star of the show for the Super Giants as the left-arm spinner accounted for two wickets for 13 runs in his four overs, including a maiden. The elder-Pandya brother was also lively in the field and grabbed a wonderful catch to send Jonny Bairstow back.

Krunal Pandya takes a brilliant catch on the boundary to send Jonny Bairstow back

After completing 15 overs in the chase, Punjab Kings were alive as they required 51 runs in five overs with five wickets in their hands. Moreover, the Englishman Jonny Bairstow was set in the middle with 32 runs off 26 deliveries.

On the 2nd delivery of the 16th over, Jonny Bairstow tried to smash a full and wide delivery from Dushmantha Chameera. However, the delivery took the outside edge instead and travelled quickly to a finer third man.

Krunal Pandya was stationed at the boundary, where he took a perfectly-judged low catch to send Bairstow back to the hut. Pandya celebrated the catch in style by kissing the ball multiple times.

Watch the video here: