Boult takes incredible catch to dismiss Kohli

New Zealand cricketer Trent Boult has snared one of the great catches to send Virat Kohli packing in the Indian Premier League.

The incredible wrong-handed effort on the boundary rope left the Bangalore crowd in stunned silence, and even Boult looked like he couldn’t believe what he’d done.

On the way to what ended up a comprehensive loss for Boult’s Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Kohli flicked a full toss from Harshal Patel towards the backward square boundary.

Up stepped Boult. With the ball heading for six at a rate of knots, Boult managed to adjust his body position and throw his right hand at the ball. He came down just millimetres from the boundary rope, somehow remaining within the field of play.

Kohli was stunned, waiting to see if Boult had crossed the rope. Instead he was made to watch the stunning replays, soaking in just how good the dismissal had been.

‘‘I was stunned when he took it, that’s a brilliant catch,’’ Kohli said afterwards. ‘‘It happens in the IPL especially. That’s a catch when you look back, you don’t feel bad about getting out.’’

The Indian skipper departed for 30 from 26 balls as the Royal Challengers sought to chase down Delhi’s 174-5. Rishabh Pant’s 85 from 48 balls was the highlight of the Delhi innings.

Despite removing Kohli, Delhi could do nothing about the onslaught of South Africa’s AB de Villiers, who blasted an unbeaten 90 from 39 balls to win the game for Royal Challengers by six wickets and a full two overs to spare.

Corey Anderson scored 15 from 13 balls before being bowled by Boult, and also took a wicket in his solitary over earlier in the game to finish with 1-10.

Boult ended with figures of 1-33 from four overs, but it’s the catch that will be remembered.

Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir said it was ‘‘the best catch I’ve ever seen’’ in his post match interview.