IPL: Nicholas Pooran’s sensational fielding effort hailed the ‘best’ world cricket has ever seen

Is this the best piece of fielding world cricket has ever seen?

Glenn Maxwell could only watch in awe as his IPL teammate Nicky Pooran leapt horizontally across the rope to save a certain six.

Pooran is known for having exceptional hands, currently the West Indies’ incumbent limited overs wicket-keeper, so he’s handy person to have out in the deep when two batsmen are firing.

WATCH THE MOMENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Rajasthan captain Steve Smith and teammate Sanju Sampson were flying at 1-84 in pursuit of 223 - a total they remarkably managed to chase down with THREE balls to spare.

Smith impressed with a 27-ball 50 but it was Samson’s 85 off 42 balls that propelled the Royals to victory.

However Samson’s individual tally would’ve been higher, had Pooran not pulled off the incredible save deep over the leg-side boundary.

“No way, no way, no way that is UNBELIEVABLE. The save of T20 cricket EVER, that is the best I’ve seen ever,” Kevin Pietersen said on the live commentary.

“Absolutely brilliant, this is the state of T20 cricket at the moment,”

The sensational fielding effort sent Twitter into meltdown, with many past players and punters praising the 24-year-old’s work.

“This is the best save I have seen in my life. Simply incredible!!” former India captain Sachin Tendulkar wrote.

It’s worth noting Pooran was reported to be deep in talks with the Perth Scorchers last season, before injuries to Jason Behrendorff and AJ Tye forced Adam Voges to recruit death bowling option Chris Jordan instead.

Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, who is widely touted as the game’s best ever fielder, stood and hailed Pooran after the clutch dive.

Rhodes is the fielding coach of Kings XI Punjab, so it’s no surprise the moment brought him to his feet.

“When the world's best fielder does that you know you have done something special,” cricket journalist Ashish Magotra said.