Shreyas Iyer's Stunning Catch Earns Praise from Sachin Tendulkar

A Catch to Remember

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has lauded captain Shreyas Iyer for his remarkable relay catch that dismissed Hardik Pandya during the IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday. Iyer's athletic prowess was on full display as he executed a breathtaking catch to remove MI's captain. This pivotal moment occurred on the third delivery of the 18th over, bowled by Marco Jansen. Pandya's shot appeared destined to sail over the boundary, but Iyer dashed in from long-on, leaping to catch the ball mid-air before deftly tossing it to Xavier Bartlett, who completed the catch. Replays confirmed that Iyer's timing was impeccable, making Pandya's dismissal a key turning point in the match, which PBKS ultimately won.

Tendulkar's Praise for Iyer's Skill

In a post on X, Tendulkar expressed admiration for Iyer's catch, emphasizing not only the athleticism involved but also the exceptional awareness and quick thinking required. He noted Iyer's ability to accurately judge the ball's trajectory, avoid the boundary, and execute a mid-air relay with precision. Tendulkar remarked that the split-second execution demonstrated remarkable timing, fitness, and composure, calling it one of the finest catches he has witnessed live.

Match Summary: PBKS vs MI

In the match itself, the Punjab Kings delivered a stellar performance against the Mumbai Indians, winning by seven wickets and maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament. MI batted first, scoring 195/6, with Quinton de Kock leading the charge with an impressive 112* off 60 balls, supported by a vital 122-run partnership with Naman Dhir, who contributed a brisk 50. Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler for PBKS, earning the Player of the Match award with figures of 3/22 in 4 overs. In response, PBKS chased down the target in just 16.3 overs, finishing at 198/3. Prabhsimran Singh was the star of the chase with an unbeaten 80 off 39 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer added a solid 66 off 35 balls, forming a crucial partnership after early wickets fell. For MI, Allah Ghazanfar took 2/32, but the bowling attack struggled against PBKS's dominance.

IPL 2026 Points Table Update

Following this victory, PBKS ascended to the top of the IPL points table with four wins and one no-result, surpassing the defending champions RCB. Meanwhile, MI found themselves in ninth place, having secured only one win from five matches.