Kamindu Mendis catch hangover continues onto Sunday: ‘When running didn't think would reach it…but have to have belief'
Superlatives are still raining in for Kamindu Mendis who took what could be a contender for the catch of the IPL 2025 to put the brakes on Dewald Brevis in Friday's SRH-CSK game.
In a gleeful debrief of the catch that sent back Brevis threatening to explode more than he already had, the Sri Lankan ambidextrous cricketer said he wasn't quite sure he would reach the ball but he always had the belief and intent to go for every 50-50 chance.
Chepauk, forever focussed on the centre square where MS Dhoni either bats or keeps, witnessed an outfield delight as Mendis pulled off his magical moment. His teammates revelled in the success that eventually helped the Hyderabad team win at Chennai HQ for the first time in many years.
'Magnificent' – was how Ishan Kishan described it to the official IPL website. Jaidev Unadkat put it best, saying, 'HOW….but wow.' Travis Head didn't think words could capture the capture where Mendis dived to his left after running, in the deep and saved a boundary in the process as Brevis was accelerating fiercely and putting SRH under the pump. 'Describing the catch won't do it justice,' Head said.
Only a catch like that could've stopped that cameo from Brevis! 🤯
Kamindu Mendis, take a bow 🙇 #CSK 119/6 after 14 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/26D3UalRQi #TATAIPL | #CSKvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/NvthsQfpUj
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 25, 2025
The commentator's immediate words had been 'outstanding, which is his weak side we will never know!' Just as Mendis left everyone watching shaken and stirred and rolled his scalp on his palms in celebration. Describing his catch, Mendis said, 'When I'm running I thought I wouldn't even reach it. Somehow I tried and you have to have sone belief in you. So I went for it. Brevis was batting really well in these tough conditions so we needed a breakthrough. I just believed that I can take the catch. It gave us good energy in the field as well,' he said.
Harshal Patel, who first started the weekend hangover that continues unto Sunday after KKR game got rained off, was candid after having bowled a fairly lousy delivery that Brevis swung at. 'I had zero expectations from that ball and was hoping it wouldn't go for a six. And it ended up being a wicket which was like ….I've seen a lot of great catches on the field but this was probably one of my top 3.'
Always trust your instincts ft. Kamindu 💯
Kamindu Mendis | Harshal Patel | #PlayWithFire | #CSKvSRH | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/jOndHvQ3C1
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 26, 2025
The catch was so stunning – like flying catches tend to be – it cast a phantom air-shadow. Of the four shadows cast in Twilight by the light towers, one was right when Mendis took off for his dive to left and a hazy shadow starting far from his feet.
Mendis himself was all heart and commitment. 'Whenever I field at midwicket and long on, I'm anticipating (a wicket) every ball. You just need to anticipate (a wicket) every ball in T20. So you have to take 50-50, half chances. You have to have courage to go for the catch. These small things are a good contribution for the game,' he said.
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