Liam Livingstone was able to continue his rich vein of form for PBKS after Hardik Pandya errs only slightly with his terrific grab.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) middle-order batter Liam Livingstone got a reprieve and a six despite animated celebrations for a terrific catch near the ropes from Hardik Pandya in Friday’s (April 8) IPL 2022 game against Gujarat Titans (GT).
Hardik, the Titans’ skipper, almost bagged one of the catches of the season fielding in the mid-wicket region after he got around a near-certain six from Livingstone’s bat and claimed a catch with the on-field umpires.
In that moment, especially with the way Hardik celebrated, it looked like a straightforward dismissal. So much so that Liam Livingstone started walking back to the pavillion. But to his relief, the two standing umpires were still in doubt and decided to send the matter upstairs.
Relief for Liam Livingstone after Hardik Pandya’s catch gets nullified
The third umpire then went through multiple replays of Hardik’s grab and focused on his footing near the rope from closed-in angles. This is where one of the angles confirmed that the fielder’s right foot was just in contact with the rope while he was trying to throw it up in the air and go for a rebound catch.
That replay would’ve led to a big sigh of relief for Liam Livingstone, who made good enough contact against a rare shot ball from the great Rashid Khan and dispatched the ball through the on-side.
The timing on the stroke was such that Livingstone would’ve felt secured of six more runs to his and PBKS’ kitty. However, in a moment of great athleticism and agility, Hardik got around the ball and gave him a genuine scare.
— Peep (@Peep00470121) April 8, 2022
Given that Liam Livingstone was only starting off his innings, it was a critical moment in the game as PBKS’ in-form England middle-order batter got a reprieve and resumed his stay at the crease.
And as it happened, the explosive right-hander went on to make the Titans pay for the slightest of errors on the edge of the ropes with another blistering half-century in the tournament.
The batter had earlier also produced an impactful fifty in PBKS’ win against defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
