WATCH, IND vs NED | Roelof van der Merwe defies gravity and age to grab potential catch of tournament
Age is number might be a cliche but it is not a false one. Roelof van der Werme provided exhibit A of the same in Netherlands' final T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against India by taking a diving blinder in the deep to break a crucial stand and cement his place in the tournament;s highlight reels.
India secured a 17-run win over the Dutch in Ahmedabad to close out the group unbeaten with four wins in four games while their rivals finished second from bottom, their only victory coming against Namibia. However, the Men in Orange had plenty of positives to take from their performances, including pushing Pakistan to the edge in the tournament opener and coming within three big hits of toppling the top-ranked team in the world. The side also ensured they left a firm imprint in fans' minds with a bina fide highlight reel moment against India, courtesy of former Proteas Roelof van der Werme.
The 41-year-old Dutch was stationed at long-off in the ninth over with Tilak Varma on strike, in the midst of a crucial 30-run stand with skipper Suryaumar Yadav following two powerplay wickets. Logan van Beek delivered a slow full delivery wide of the stumps to counter Tilak backing away from the crease in an attempt to get room, but the batter went after him all the same with a tentative swing off the bat while down on one knee. Even though failed to get a good connection, he seemed to have pierced the gap between van der Werme and extra cover and the ball seemed estined for the boundary. However, the Dutch veteran came sprinting like a thunderbolt to his right and launched himself in the air at the perfect moment to grab onto a two-handed diving stunner.
Twitterati was quick to label it one of the catches of the tournament.
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