A stunning fielding moment in IPL 2026 grabbed everyone’s attention when Shreyas Iyer pulled off an incredible relay catch near the boundary. The effort dismissed Hardik Pandya and stopped a certain six during the match.
Former South Africa legend Jonty Rhodes praised the effort and shared a memorable reaction on social media.
How the Catch Happened
The moment came during the Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians match.
- Hardik Pandya hit a big shot towards the boundary
- Shreyas Iyer jumped near the rope and stopped the ball
- While still in the air, he passed the ball to teammate Xavier Bartlett
- The relay catch was completed successfully
This teamwork helped dismiss Pandya and saved crucial runs for Punjab Kings.
Jonty Rhodes, known as one of the best fielders in cricket history, was impressed by the effort.
He said that fielding has improved a lot in modern cricket. He also joked that while he once felt like the “father of fielding,” watching today’s players makes him feel like the “grandfather of fielding.”
His comment shows how much the game has evolved, especially in fielding standards.
Match Summary: PBKS Beat MI at Wankhede
The match was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 16.
Mumbai Indians Innings
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Performers | Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 195/6 | 20 | Quinton de Kock 112* (60), Naman Dhir 50 (31) | Arshdeep Singh 3/22 |
Quinton de Kock scored a brilliant unbeaten century, while Naman Dhir added a half-century.
Also See : SRH vs CSK Match Prediction Today – IPL 2026 Match 27, Who Will Win?
Punjab Kings Innings
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Performers | Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 196/3 | 16.3 | Prabhsimran Singh 80* (39), Shreyas Iyer 66 (35) | Allah Ghazanfar 2/30 |
Punjab Kings chased the target comfortably with strong performances from Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer.
Key Points from the Match
- MI missed Rohit Sharma due to injury
- De Kock played a brilliant innings but did not get enough support
- PBKS chased the target easily with aggressive batting
- Shreyas Iyer contributed both with bat and in the field
What This Means
Punjab Kings continue to perform well in IPL 2026 and look strong going forward.
The relay catch by Shreyas Iyer is one of the standout moments of the season and shows how important fielding has become in modern cricket.
Final Thoughts
This match had everything: big runs, quick chasing, and a memorable fielding moment.
Shreyas Iyer’s effort not only helped his team but also earned praise from one of the greatest fielders in cricket history. It is a reminder that fielding can change the game just as much as batting and bowling.
