IPL 7: Chris Lynn seals IPL debut for KKR with a spectacular catch

For a moment it looked like the ball had travelled over the rope and AB de Villiers had preserved Royal Challengers Bangalore’s unbeaten start to the season. Chris Lynn was the man on the boundary and he had slipped just before the ball arrived. He recovered in time to make a desperate leap but in real time the ball appeared to have beaten him. Real time, though, can be misleading. Somehow Lynn had recovered his balance and managed to contort his body in mid-air to keep him from falling over the rope despite having to jump backwards to take the catch. It was a phenomenal piece of body control, more gymnast than cricketer, and it kept Kolkata Knight Riders in with a chance to win the game, which they ultimately did. [caption id=“attachment_1497053” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chris Lynn on the ground moments after his catch. BCCI[/caption] The 24-year-old Lynn was making his IPL debut in this game and had already helped dig KKR out of trouble with the bat by making 45 from 31 balls and sharing in an 80-run partnership with Jacques Kallis. It was his catch, however, that had everyone talking after the game ”I felt it was a well connected shot and it was a tough catch to take at that moment,” Lynn told the IPL’s official website. “I would have taken it comfortably had I stayed on my feet, I slipped a bit, but I clutched on to it at the last moment. I tried my best not to touch the boundary ropes and I am happy I could catch that one.” Lynn admitted to being nervous before the game and as he walked out to bat. Getting off the mark helped him settle down and he began to relax after hitting his first boundary. By the time he was out, he had a strike-rate of 145.16, which ended up being the best of the match for anyone who made more than five. While we can’t show you that catch because we don’t have the rights to show IPLT20 highlights, here is a video of another catch by Lynn at the MCG that demonstrates his athleticism.

You can also read the full IPLT20.com interview here.