Watch: Suryakumar Yadav runs out Gerald Coetzee with stunning direct-hit after latter's mix-up with Keshav Maharaj

The India National Cricket Team captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who is regarded as one of the best fielders in the team, produced a sensational direct hit in the first T20I of the four-match series against the South Africa National Cricket Team.

Suryakumar Yadav's sensational throw ended the innings of the Proteas star Gerald Coetzee on Friday, November 8, at the Kingsmead in Durban.

Suryakumar Yadav showcases a terrific fielding effort

Gerald Coetzee came up with an explosive effort with the bat for South Africa in the first T20I. With the match all but lost, the Proteas pacer was swinging his bat as hard as he could to smash the boundaries and entertain the crowd in Durban.

Gerald Coetzee, to some extent, was quite successful in his attempt as he smashed three sensational sixes and batted with a strike rate of 209.08, which was the most by any South African in the innings.

His innings, however, was cut short on the fifth ball of the 17th over and Gerald Coetzee was forced to walk back to the dugout after scoring 23 runs off 11 balls.

Notably, in the 16.5th over, the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh bowled a juicy full-toss to Keshav Maharaj, who was not able to utilize it. Maharaj mistimed a drive to extra cover and ran for a single.

There was a massive mix-up between Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee as after multiple yes and no calls and a mid-pitch conversation, they decided to go ahead with the run, only to see Suryakumar Yadav shatter the stumps at the batter's end with sensational direct-hit.

The Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav took aim and hit the top of the stumps at the batter's end to dismiss Coetzee, who was well short of the crease. With the dismissal of Gerald Coetzee, the Proteas were reduced to 135/9.

After that, Avesh Khan castled Keshav Maharaj on the fifth ball of the 18th over to bundle out South Africa for 141 and help India win by 61 runs.

Also Read: Watch: Suryakumar Yadav dismissed on 11th ball of Patrick Kruger’s over in unprecedented scenes

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav produces brilliant direct-hit to run out Gerald Coetzee

A thunderous throw from SKY! ⚡️☝️

The skipper's brilliance in the field ended Coetzee's cameo! 🔥

Keep watching the #SAvIND T20I series on #JioCinema, #Sports18 & #ColorsCineplex 👈#JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/mabV1oBjog

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 8, 2024

What happened in South Africa's previous T20I series?

Before the clash against the India National Cricket Team in the shortest format of the game, the South Africa National Cricket Team had locked horns with the Ireland National Cricket Team in a two-match T20I series.

South Africa comprehensively beat the Irish Team in the series opener in Abu Dhabi to take a lead in the series. The Proteas bowling unit led by Patrick Kruger's 4-wicket haul, restricted Ireland to 171/8 in their 20 overs.

Chasing the total, the opening duo of Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks showcased explosive batting and blasted sensational half-centuries. After the openers laid the foundation for the triumph, the rest of the batters made small contributions as the Proteas completed the run-chase in 17.4 overs to win by 8 wickets.

In the next T20I, Ireland shocked South Africa as they won the thrilling match by 10 runs to level the series 1-1. The Paul Stirling-led side came up with a better performance in the match and registered a total of 195 for 6. It was openers Rose Adair (100) and Paul Stirling (52), who set the tone for a big score in Abu Dhabi.

Defending the total, Ireland's bowlers were troubled by South Africa's top 3, but after that, they made a stellar comeback in the match as the rest of the batters could only register single-digit scores. Mark Adair emerged as the top performer with his 4-wicket haul, while Graham Hume bagged 3 wickets.