‘Unbelievable’: Peter Handscomb takes a screamer in 2nd Test against India

Nathan Lyon was on fire on Day 2 in Dehli and Peter Handscomb took an absolute screamer of a catch to put the Aussies on top.

Peter Handscomb has taken one of the best close range catches in recent memory as Australia took the upper hand in the second Test against India.

The Aussies burnt all three of their DRS reviews in next to no time on Day 2 in Dehli, but Nathan Lyon bowled up a storm to take four wickets in the first session and save their blushes.

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The highlight came when Handscomb took an absolute screamer at short leg to dismiss Shreyas Iyer for four.

Iyer nudged a Lyon delivery straight to Handscomb, but the ball bobbled around like a pinball before it popped up off his leg and the Victorian held on for the catch.

“Has he taken it? This is a brilliant, brilliant catch,” Harsha Bhogle said in commentary.

“It will go down on the scoresheet as the bowler’s wicket but this is almost completely short leg’s catch and I think there’s almost a touch of disbelief on face of Shreyas Iyer as he walks back.”

WATCH HANDSCOMB’S CATCH IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

How on earth did Peter Handscomb hold onto that? Photo: Fox Sports.

That feeling when you take an absolute screamer. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Mark Waugh added: “So there should be, that is an absolutely unbelievable catch from Peter Handscomb.

“Don’t worry about the reviews, just take a catch like that. He stayed down, he got lucky didn’t he as it hit him on the forearm and then he had the presence to keep watching the ball. “It rolled up his arm and into his hands, that is a big, big dismissal.”

I thought Handscomb batting in a white-floppy hat was the best he'd ever looked.

Turns out, taking superb catches at short leg takes it up another notch. #INDvAUS

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 18, 2023

Magnificent stuff this.
Lyon answering the call.
Handscomb just outstanding concentration.
This series . . . #INDvAUS

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) February 18, 2023

What a catch by Handscomb. Iyer hit it straight at him and he stayed alert enough to make it stick. India in big trouble now. 66/4. Lyon gets another one. #IndvAus

— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 18, 2023

Now that is a blinder of a catch from Handscomb. Shreyas can't believe he has taken that catch. Lyon has four, India in proper trouble.#INDvAUS

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 18, 2023

It was one of the best catches by an Australian fielding at short leg since David Boon’s diving effort to seal Shane Warne’s hat-trick in the 1994.

Handscomb hadn’t played a Test since 2019 but his selection has proved a wise one in India.

The 31-year-old was one of the few Australian batters who could hold their head high in the first Test, and his unbeaten 72 was crucial to helping Australia post a total of 263 in the first innings.