'Unbelievable': Aussie captain's 'screamer' lights up cricket world
Cricket fans have lit up social media after an extraordinary moment from Australia captain Tim Paine on the day two of the second Test against India at the MCG.
Paine out forward a contender for catch of the summer, with a sensational diving effort to remove Cheteshwar Pujara for 17.
'WHAT IS GOING ON': Disbelief over crazy Boxing Day moment
'TAKE A BOW': 'Mind-blowing' act leaves fans in a frenzy
Pujara and Shubman Gill started the day brightly for India as the tourists looked to ram home their advantage from day one.
However, after seeing Paine drop Gill earlier in Sunday's opening session, the Aussie skipper made amends to remove the Indian debutant for a well-worked 45.
You hate to see it... Paine drops Gill 😲
📺 Watch Day 2 #AUSvIND Test on Fox Cricket or Kayo: https://t.co/Bp1efaz5MO
📝Live blog: https://t.co/escskuGMiv
📱Match Centre: https://t.co/hSscBuONMn pic.twitter.com/1hXGQXhdQc— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 26, 2020
Cummins and Paine combined again just before the drinks break in the opening session, courtesy of an astonishing catch from the Aussie wicketkeeper.
The Aussie skipper flung himself to the right after star India batsman Pujara edged one that flew towards the Aussie skipper at pace.
Paine snaffled the one-handed catch at full stretch, just before the ball hit the ground in front of Matthew Wade at first slip.
Cricket world hails incredible moment
The superb catch left viewers in awe on social media.
What a catch by Tim Paine #AUSvsIND #BoxingDayTest 🔥👌🏻
— Muneeb Shaikh (@MuneebS10132373) December 27, 2020
What a catch ffs. Unbelievable from Tim Paine. India crumbling.
— J dot (@JayTeee___) December 27, 2020
What a take by Tim Paine! #AUSvIND
— BorhanJabed (@BorhanJabed) December 27, 2020
Tim Paine’s catch off Cummins’ bowling 🔥
— a d i l a (@adila__21) December 27, 2020
Slow motion doesn't do justice to that Tim Paine catch.
— Avela Mabetshe® (@Av_mabetshe) December 27, 2020
WHAT A CATCH, TIM PAINE 🔥
India 64/3 #AUSvIND— Muhammad🇵🇰 (@Khan_Afridiii10) December 27, 2020
Amazing catch by #Tim_paine to get out @cheteshwar1 #INDvsAUS
— Saviour of India (@IndiaSaviour) December 27, 2020
Brilliant full stretch catch by Tim Paine to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara for 17. Hurled himself across first slip to take the crucial catch. India 3-64 at first drinks. Cummins 2-23. #AUSvIND
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) December 27, 2020
OUT! Cheteshwar Pujara's outside edge has finally carried to the keeper and Tim Paine has taken a screamer diving to his right! Quick couple of wickets for Pat Cummins!
C Pujara c T Paine b P Cummins 17 (70)
🇮🇳 64/3 (23.4 ov)#AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/y7hf4OoNyx— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) December 27, 2020
The Tim Paine catch #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nWEVJKEtEJ
— Jasmine (@JasmineJSports) December 27, 2020
India started day two in a strong position after rolling the Aussies for 195 on an eventful opening day.
The tourists resumed at 1-36 but found themselves two down when Pat Cummins picked up the wicket of Shubman Gill for 45.
The India opener, having been put down by Paine earlier, wasn't given a second reprieve as the Aussie skipper caught him five runs shy of a half century.
India captain Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari steadied the ship for the tourists to get India to lunch on day two at 3-90.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
