WATCH: India's Ashwin stuns fans with 'greatest catch' vs New Zealand

Ashwin, not known for his speed in outfield, sprinted back, launched into a full dive, and spectacularly secured catch

Ravichandran Ashwin, at 38, pulled off what fans and commentators are calling the "greatest catch of his career" in the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium.

Ashwin's stunning athleticism broke a threatening 50-run stand between Daryl Mitchell and Will Young, leading to New Zealand’s late-innings collapse on Day 2.

Mitchell, attempting to drive Ravindra Jadeja's delivery, sent the ball sky-high towards mid-on. Ashwin, not known for his speed in the outfield, sprinted back, launched into a full dive, and spectacularly secured the catch.

The Wankhede crowd erupted as Ashwin held onto the ball, a moment that quickly went viral, with fans declaring it his "best-ever catch."

Reflecting on the catch, Ashwin said, “I was just telling myself that it’s going to anyway leave me. I wanted to get as close to the ball as possible. I’ve got great hands, so I trusted them to go through with it.”

This key dismissal proved pivotal, triggering New Zealand’s downward slide. From a solid 94/3, New Zealand lost five wickets for 77 runs, closing Day 2 at 171/9 with a slender lead of only 143.

Jadeja’s exceptional bowling yielded him four wickets, with Ashwin contributing three, including the dismissal of Glenn Phillips after he had hit two sixes in one over.

Ashwin’s brilliant catch and bowling prowess kept the pressure on New Zealand. The Test continues with India well-positioned, thanks to the duo’s bowling heroics.