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'It's a direct hit and he may be gone!' A direct hit is more often than not a ticket to the dressing room for the batsman. And the emphasis on fielding has been at its peak in recent years with teams allocating significant resources in improving their fielding.
Players practice direct hits from multiple fielding positions and the data from these sessions helps identify ideal fielding position for a player. Fielding, just as much as batting or bowling, can completely change the course of the game and consequently that of the tournament as well, as evidenced by the recently-concluded World Cup.
So let's have a look at five game-changing run-outs that have changed the course of an ICC World Cup, both ODI and T20.
#1 Martin Guptill's direct hit to get MS Dhoni out
India vs New Zealand, ICC World Cup 2019
New Zealand 239-8 (50.0) beat India 221 all out (49.5)
"Oh, direct hit! Is this the World Cup? It's Martin Guptill! Is this the final!?" Ian Smith was right. It meant the final for New Zealand as Guptill pulled off an absolutely stunning run out of MS Dhoni just as he was priming to take the game away from the Kiwis in the 49th over. Ravindra Jadeja's awe-inspiring knock had gotten India very close but he could not finish the job and fans had their hopes pinned on MS to get India through to the finals.
With 25 needed off 10 deliveries, Dhoni hit a fast short ball from Lockie Ferguson towards the square-leg region. In order to retain strike, MS rushed for the second but the swift and sharp Guptill reached the ball quickly and managed a direct hit. A moment of brilliance that ensured the game for New Zealand.
#2 Ravindra Jadeja's direct hit to get Ross Taylor out
India vs New Zealand, ICC World Cup 2019
New Zealand 239-8 (50.0) beat India 221-10 (49.5)
An astute bowler, a swashbuckling batsman, and a live-wire on the field -- Jadeja is an asset for any team. Against New Zealand in the World Cup semis, Jadeja again proved his worth. A breathtaking knock to get India excruciatingly close to the finish line was combined with a superb catch, the wicket of Henry Nicholls and an unbelievable run-out to get the well-set Ross Taylor out.
Taylor, playing on 73, played the ball to the deep square-leg region and attempted a couple but fell short. The quick and accurate Jadeja scored a direct-hit with just one stump to aim at.
#3 Rohit Sharma's direct hit to get Justin Kemp out
India Vs South Africa, ICC T20 World Cup 2007
India 153-5 (20.0) beat SA 116-9 (20.0)
It was a crucial match that the young Indian side had to win by a certain margin in order to qualify for the semis. MS Dhoni's side took the challenge in their stride and played sensational cricket, not just winning the game comprehensively but also evicting SA from the World Cup.
Rohit Sharma's gritty knock and brilliance in the field to get the powerful Justin Kemp out, a marauding RP Singh and Dinesh Kartik's superhuman catch were the highlights of India's crushing win over South Africa.
Watch Rohit's direct hit from 13.04:
#4 Mohammad Kaif's direct hit to get Nick Knight out
India vs England, ICC World Cup 2003
India 250-9 (50.0) beat England 168 all out (45.3)
Mohammad Kaif, along with Yuvraj Singh, brought about a revolution in Indian fielding standards in the early 2000s.
In a group-stage encounter against England, India had put up a competitive total of 250 but it was important to pick up early wickets as England batted deep. It was Kaif who provided the first breakthrough India needed.
Nick Knight, the England opener, tried getting a quick single having hit the ball towards short mid-off but failed to make it on time as Kaif breezed towards the ball, dived, picked it up and hit the stump with an underarm throw -- all in one motion.
#5 Chris Harris's direct hit to get Aravinda de Silva out
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, ICC World Cup 1992
Sri Lanka 206-9 (50.0) lost to New Zealand 210-4 (48.2)
One of the finest all-rounders New Zealand has ever produced, Chris Harris was a sharp-witted bowler, a master finisher and a razor-sharp fielder.
Playing a crucial match against strong opposition -- Sri Lanka, the Kiwis had to bring out their best game, which they did, eventually winning by 6 wickets. But, at one point, Lanka was cruising at 120-2 when Chris Harris's expeditious work in the short covers region and a direct hit led to the dismissal of skipper Aravinda de Silva to turn the game in favour of New Zealand.
Here's Harris in action for the run-out, starting at 6.30:
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