In the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, India A started with a match against Pakistan Shaheens, where the Indian team won by seven runs.

India A set an 184-run target for Pakistan Shaheens. In the second innings of the match, Ramandeep Singh took an incredible catch, which will be remembered for a long time. 

Ramandeep Singh's catch broke a crucial partnership

At the end of the eighth over of the second innings, Pakistan Shaheens scored 75/2 as there was a 54-run partnership for the third wicket. On the first ball of Nishant Sindhu’s over, Yasir Khan slogged but was caught out at the deep mid-wicket. 

It wasn’t an easy chance for Ramandeep Singh, but the 27-year-old fearless cricketer just stunned everyone with his incredible athleticism. It was a perfect action for him as Pakistan Shaheens lost Yasir Khan for 33 runs off 22 balls.

Better angle of that freak catch pic.twitter.com/jVIQGPwEgi https://t.co/DKCHzhh9zv

— sourav (@Purplepatch22) October 19, 2024

What the actual fuck Ramandeep pic.twitter.com/lzzeOTDppX

— sourav (@Purplepatch22) October 19, 2024

In that same over, another set batter Qasim Akram lost his wicket as Sindhu started with two wickets in his first over. At the end of that over, Pakistan Shaheens scored 78/4. 

Although Arafat Minhas fought well with 41 runs off 29 balls with five fours and one six, and some late cameos, Pakistan Shaheens ultimately scored 176/7 in 20 overs. 

Among the Indian bowlers, Anshul Kamboj (3/33), Rasikh Salam (2/30), and Nishant Sindhu (2/15) took Pakistan’s wickets. 

Indian top orders batted strongly

Earlier, the Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh put a 68-run partnership for the first wicket. While Sharma scored 35 runs off 22 balls with five fours and two sixes, Singh scored 36 off 19 balls with three fours and three sixes. 

Also, the captain Tilak Varma played a strong knock of 44 runs off 35 balls with two fours and two sixes. Nehal Wadhera (25) and Ramandeep Singh (17) were the other Indian batters with double-digit scores in that first innings.

In a rain-curtailed match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders‘ Ramandeep Singh found himself at the center of attention not just for his cricketing prowess but also for a breach of the IPL Code of Conduct. The 27-year-old admitted to a Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 of the Code and accepted a fine amounting to 20% of his match fees imposed by the Match Referee.

On-field heroics and off-field penalty

Despite this setback, KKR emerged victorious against the Mumbai Indians, securing an 18-run win in a tightly contested encounter. Ramandeep played a crucial role in the victory, contributing an unbeaten 17 runs off just 8 balls in the latter overs of the first innings, helping his team reach a competitive total of 157/7.

“Ramandeep committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 of the IPL Code of Conduct,” the IPL said in a statement on Sunday.

His impact wasn’t limited to batting alone, as he also took a crucial catch to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav during Mumbai Indians’ run-chase.

KKR steal victory against MI

This stellar performance by Ramandeep and the team’s overall effort led to KKR restricting Mumbai Indians to 139/8, sealing a memorable win and securing their place in the playoffs.

According to the IPL’s Code of Conduct, Article 2.20 “includes any action(s) outside the course of normal cricket actions, such as hitting or kicking the wickets and any action(s) which deliberately (i.e. intentionally), recklessly or negligently (in either case even if accidental) results in damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures and fittings. For example, this offence may be committed, without limitation, when a Player swings his/her bat vigorously in frustration and causes damage to an advertising board.”

See Also: KKR survive batting collapse at Eden Gardens, set 158-run target for MI

With this victory, Kolkata Knight Riders became the first team to secure a playoff berth this season, firmly establishing themselves at the top of the table with 18 points from 12 matches. Their outstanding performance has set a high standard for the competition, with the Rajasthan Royals closely following them at the second spot with 16 points, also well on their way to playoff qualification.