Video of the Day: IPL 2026 – Phil Salt’s contentious boundary catch sends back Heinrich Klaasen

Phil Salt pulled off an impressive catch to dismiss the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen during the opening game of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. After the powerplay burst from Jacob Duffy, where he took three wickets for just 17 runs, Heinrich Klaasen and captain Ishan Kishan helped stabilise the Sunrisers innings. 

Klaasen pulled Romario Shepherd’s off-cutter but the ball was intercepted by Salt right at the mid-wicket boundary rope. Salt lost his balance after completing the catch, falling just ahead of the boundary rope. His ability to maintain the distance between himself and the boundary made the catch special.

Klaasen was furious with the decision as Salt was dangerously close to the boundary cushion, but the third umpire adjudged the catch was clean as the batter had to walk back for a well-made 31. This was Salt’s second catch of the game, after an early catch at square leg to dismiss the dangerous Travis Head.

The unprecedented nature of the decision got fans and experts talking alike, with there being no clarity on whether Salt touched the boundary cushion or not.

Salt was in the action again with his catch to dismiss the well-set Ishan Kishan. A low full-toss bowled by debutant fast-bowler Abhinandan Singh was sliced away towards the deep-backward point area. Salt, patrolling the boundary at the point area made his way towards the fence as he grabbed the ball with his right hand in a spectacular diving effort. This miraculous effort was Salt’s third catch of the game.

Sunrisers Hyderabad finished their innings at a respectable 201 for the loss of nine wickets. Ishan Kishan, in his first game as captain, scored 80 off 38 balls, sharing a 97-run partnership with Klaasen. While they lost consistent wickets, a late 18-ball 43 from Aniket Verma pushed them across the 200-run mark. Debutant Jacob Duffy finished with figures of 3/22 in his four overs.