Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja controversially denied spectacular catch

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stunned cricket fans with a contender for catch of the T20 World Cup — or so he thought.

Ravindra Jadeja was denied this catch. Picture: Fox Sports.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was controversially denied a contender for catch of the tournament during Wednesday evening’s T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan was 6/126 in the penultimate over of the run chase when Karim Janat attempted a wild slog off Indian seamer Mohammed Shami.

Jadeja steamed in from the boundary rope and claimed a stunning diving catch inches from the turf — or so he thought.

Catch Australia take on Bangladesh at the ICC T20 World Cup on Thursday night (9pm AEDT) on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

“What a beauty!” former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa cried in commentary.

“You can tell by the celebrations just how good it is. It’s an incredible catch.”

The on-field officials sent the decision upstairs to third umpire Aleem Dar, who after several slow-motion replays overturned the on-field call of out.

Replays showed the ball had stuck between Jadeja’s fingers before his hands struck the turf, and Dar believed the ball also made contact with the grass.

“The ball is hitting the ground. I’ve made my decision,” he said.

although it was given not out, but man what an effort. Sir Jadeja for a reason. safest hands! pic.twitter.com/G4qblNcX9a

— zain rohaan (@28notorious) November 3, 2021

Jadeja and Indian captain Virat Kohli were baffled by the decision.

“He can’t believe it, Ravi Jadeja,” Mbangwa said.

“But I can understand why the TV ump says it isn’t out.

“It’s an absolutely incredible effort, but just as he gets there, he doesn’t quite have it in hand, and it’s sort of between the fingers.

“It seems as it hits the ground, the ground helps the ball into the hands. What an effort, what a pity.”

Although Dar’s decision abided by the Laws of the game, that didn’t stop cricket fans from voicing their anger.

Former South African paceman Dale Steyn tweeted: “That’s a tired call Mr Ump.”

England batter Sam Billings posted: “Thought that was out tbf … Jadeja is ridiculous in the field!”

Former Netherlands star Wesley Barresi tweeted: “That was a spectacular catch from @imjadeja. How that was called not out is a little unfair!”

Jadeja was winning the catch of the tournament, and then the third umpire happened.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) November 3, 2021

TV umpire decisions can be brutal at times. Impact on the ground will obviously make the ball pop a bit but Jadeja did catch it cleanly. Fielders are not wearing mitts. Cut them some slack. Feel for Jadeja. Top catch.#T20WorldCup

— Somshuvra Laha (@IamSomshuvra) November 3, 2021

That’s an ordinary call by the Umpire . Diving catches should be banned I guess 🙄 #jadeja

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) November 3, 2021

Janat finished unbeaten on 42 as Afghanistan suffered a 66-run defeat, their second loss of the T20 tournament.

Shami finished with figures of 3/32, while Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowled an economical four-over spell of 2/14.

Earlier in the Super 12 contest, Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma combined for a destructive 140-run partnership that featured five sixes.

“Net run rate was on the back of our mind,” Kohli said after the win.

“We spoke in the team meeting that we have to focus on the chance we have (to qualify for the semi-finals) and stay positive and hunt that chance down.”

India will next face Scotland on Saturday at 1am AEDT, while Afghanistan will take on New Zealand at 9pm AEDT on Sunday.

Originally published as Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja controversially denied spectacular catch