Watch, Super Smash | Guptill shows impressive hand-eye coordination to pluck stunner from thin air

‌Auckland continued their unbeaten run in the Super Smash 2025-26 campaign with an 88-run thumping of Otago at home on Tuesday. Dale Phillips’ stunning assault, wherein he smashed 11 fours and three sixes to make 77 in 36 balls, along with Bevon Jacobs’ 32-ball 53, powered the home side to 200/6 after being put in. Meanwhile, medium pacer Harjot Johal ran through the lower middle order with a spell of 4/21 in three overs to skittle out the visitors for just 112.

Though he could not make any meaningful contribution with the bat, former New Zealand international Martin Guptill grabbed eyeballs with his stunning effort on the field at Eden Park Outer Oval. The veteran batter, who was placed at point, showed impressive hand-eye coordination to snatch an unbelievable single-handed catch.

With left-arm spinner Rohit Gulati bowling a good length delivery around leg stump, Llew Johnson went for a premeditated reverse sweep. But Guptill had charged in quite a bit to find himself very close to the batter.

But the 39-year-old’s anticipation and quick reflexes saved his day as he leaped immediately to grab the ball with his outstretched right hand. It was business as usual for the veteran as he rolled the ball to the umpire before joining his teammates in the huddle. However, Gulati was thrilled as he pulled out the trademark ‘Le Panga’ Kabaddi celebration.

What a catch!