Sunrisers Hyderabad had a lot at stake, having lost five of their first eight matches in IPL 2023, as they faced off against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 47 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
While KKR was also struggling with six losses in nine games, the Aiden Markram-led Hyderabad team had high expectations heading into the season, and Markram himself knew he needed to step up to inspire his teammates and turn their fortunes around.
As the match progressed, the 28-year-old South African didn’t disappoint their fans. In the 11th over of KKR’s innings, he bowled a slower ball outside off stump. Nitish Rana, who was batting on 41 off 30 balls, attempted a slog over deep mid-wicket but misjudged the pace and ended up with a massive top edge.
Markram immediately called for the catch and sprinted over 20 yards backward to complete one of the most remarkable catches of the season, if not the best.
Markram understood the significance of that breakthrough, and even before his teammates came to congratulate him, he lay on the ground, screaming with delight, having pulled off an absolute stunner.