Aakash Chopra: Manish Pandey's Catch is IPL's Best Ever

Raipur's night delivered IPL drama on Wednesday as RCB edged KKR by 6 wickets, thanks to Kohli's masterful 105*. Yet, the game's defining image was Manish Pandey's spectacular dive to dismiss Tim David, earning rave reviews from Aakash Chopra. 'Out of 175+ drops this IPL, Pandey's was a rare diamond. Full dive left at point, 18th over, ball 5 – umpires checked ground contact and identity mix-up with Phillips,' Chopra detailed on air. David's disbelief was palpable as he froze on the field. Pandey, 36 and an IPL veteran across all 19 seasons (only Kohli, Sharma match this; Dhoni absent so far), stunned with athleticism belying his age. It shifted gears for RCB in their chase. KKR posted 192/4 after losing toss, Raghuvanshi's 71 and Rinku's 49* laying a strong platform. Kohli's onslaught ensured victory, but Pandey's intervention prevented a late surge. Chopra's verdict: This catch ranks among IPL's elite, a testament to Pandey's enduring skill. For RCB, it's a morale booster heading into crunch games, blending Kohli's batting mastery with Pandey's fielding flair.