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When Shubman Gill sprinted in from long-on to take the catch, Indian fans all over the world collectively held their breath. It wasn’t just any normal catch. It wasn’t just any kind of match. It was Travis Head, a professional batter, in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final.
The Australian opener had caused enough problem in recent years and was looking to make another big impact when Varun Chakravarthy deceived him with a clever delivery, getting him to play a wrong shot. The ball seemed to remain hanged in the air forever, or so it appeared. Shubhman Gill, wearing a floppy hat, snatched it with ease, almost as if it were routine, to the happiness of Indian fans.
Head, who had started slowly with just one run off ten balls, was dismissed for 39 off 33 balls. He had hit 5 fours and 2 sixes, but was dismissed in the powerplay by a spinner for the 1st time in his ODI career. After a few moments of Head’s dismissal, umpire Richard Illingworth was seen speaking to Gill.
Commentators Harsha Bhogle, Michael Atherton, & Matthew Hayden suggested that it was likely related to Gill’s catch. The Indian vice-captain had released the ball quickly just as he caught it. As per the laws of cricket, the fielder must be in full control of the ball for it to be considered a perfect catch.