Indian fast bowler Gurnoor Brar took a stunning one-handed return catch to dismiss New Zealand batter Tom Latham. The caught-and-bowled dismissal came during the opening match of the five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4.
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first, with overcast conditions offering assistance to the seamers. India had prepared extensively for the series, which is important ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The visitors picked a combination of four seamers and two all-rounders.
Gurnoor Brar Takes Stunning One-Handed Return Catch to Dismiss Tom Latham
Gurnoor Brar produced the moment of the match in the final delivery of the 17th over. The right-arm pacer delivered a length ball outside the off stump and angled it across the left-handed batter.
Latham tried to close the face of his bat and punch the delivery through the leg side but got a leading edge that sent the ball back towards the bowler. Gurnoor Brar was already moving forward in his follow-through when the ball popped up just to his left.
Despite the momentum carrying him past the delivery, the tall pacer instinctively stretched out his non-dominant left hand and grabbed the ball, which was almost behind him. The ball nestled in his palm, completing an exceptional reflex catch.
The Indian bowler immediately threw the ball into the air and sprinted away with both arms outstretched in celebration. Latham departed for just three runs off 11 deliveries, giving Brar his second wicket of the innings and leaving New Zealand four down inside 17 overs.
What a catch 🤯🤯 Gurnoor Brar take a blinder with one hand Wow!! https://t.co/4MfnA1BnJ3
— BackToLobby (@_backtolobby) November 4, 2026
Tim Seifert Falls for 38 as Gurnoor Brar Strikes After Drinks Break
Gurnoor Brar had already broken a promising partnership by dismissing Tim Seifert shortly after the drinks break. New Zealand had struggled during the first powerplay, with Arshdeep Singh removing Will Young and Henry Nicholls for nine runs each. India restricted the hosts to 45/2 after 10 overs.
Seifert had received an early reprieve when Naman Dhir dropped a catch off Auqib Nabi's bowling inside the fielding circle. The New Zealand batter made the most of the opportunity, hitting a couple of big sixes while building a partnership with Daryl Mitchell.
However, Seifert's luck ran out in the third delivery after the drinks break. Gurnoor Brar surprised him with a 140-kph short ball outside off stump. Seifert shuffled across the crease and attempted to pull the delivery across the line but was caught off guard by its bounce.
He miscued the shot high down the ground, where substitute fielder Ruturaj Gaikwad ran in from mid-on and completed a comfortable catch. Seifert departed for 38, giving Gurnoor Brar his first wicket of the spell and leaving the hosts at 72/4 inside 17 overs.
Shubman Gill Backs Four-Pacer Attack as Tom Latham Continues Poor ODI Record Against India
Shubman Gill explained India's decision to bowl first after winning the toss, pointing to the overcast conditions and the possibility of rain reducing the number of overs. He also highlighted the importance of the series as part of India's preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
"We are going to bowl first. Little bit overcast and if there's any reduction in the overs, it's always good to have a target on the board. Pretty good, I would say. Lot of good practice sessions, everyone is excited and prepared for the series."
"[on the buildup to the World Cup] Extremely important. The conditions here would be very similar to South Africa as compared to other parts of the world. It will be a good experience for us if we get success here. We are going with 4 fast bowlers, 2 allrounders in Naman and Axar, with Anshul, Aquib, Gurnoor and Arshdeep," Gill stated.
Also read: Shubman Gill warns New Zealand, says India can beat any team in any conditions
