The Wankhede Stadium, a venue renowned for its legendary moments, witnessed yet another historic feat during the high-stakes match between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. Amid an electrifying atmosphere, Shreyas Iyer’s extraordinary display of athleticism became the talk of the cricketing world and drew praise from none other than Jonty Rhodes, the icon who turned the field into art.
Rhodes, who once set the benchmark for fielding excellence, was so impressed with Iyer’s performance that he took to social media to express his admiration. In a post on X that quickly went viral, the South African legend acknowledged the unprecedented level of athleticism in modern cricket, a standard he never imagined during his playing days.
“Watching Shreyas Iyer perform an acrobatic throw in the field to aid in a ‘team catch’ made me appreciate how fielding has evolved since my retirement,” noted Rhodes. He jokingly reflected on his own legacy, noting that while he was once considered the “father of the field, today’s athletes make him feel like he is the “grandfather of the field.”
A moment of brilliance unfolded with the release of Mumbai Indians star Hardik Pandya. Facing a delivery that seemed destined for a six, Pandya connected with power and precision. However, Iyer, patrolling the border, had other plans. With perfect timing and awareness, he launched himself into the air and stretched to catch the ball even as his body was poised to land beyond the boundary. In an amazing mid-air maneuver, he managed to put the ball back into play, allowing a teammate to complete the catch.
This gravity-defying feat left the cricketing fraternity in awe. The dugout cameras captured the astonishment of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, both known for their own heroics on the field, as they witnessed Iyer’s “hang time” wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
The Punjab Kings, who are currently in blistering form, have made this elite level of engagement a signature of their IPL 2026 campaign. As the only undefeated team in the tournamentwith four wins and a draw they sit comfortably at the top of the table. Their all-round excellence, highlighted by efforts like Iyer’s, made them formidable opponents, leaving no room for easy runs or wasted chances.
With the next match scheduled against Lucknow Super Giants this Sunday, April 19, the Kings are all set to continue their dominant run. With momentum on their side and ‘Grandpa Fielding’ looking on with admiration, they look set to extend their unbeaten run.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
18 Apr 2026 12:33 IST
