You will remember that moment of the final match of T20 World Cup 2024 when South Africa needed 16 runs in 6 balls to win. The strike was of South Africa's dangerous batsman David Miller. The team's fifth bowler Hardik Pandya had the ball in his hand. On the very first ball of Hardik, David Miller played a long shot which was seen going towards the boundary. For a while it seemed that this ball would cross the boundary line. But in the meantime Suryakumar Yadav took a surprising catch.
When India became the champion, the role of this catch was seen as a turning point. But some people started a controversy over this catch. However, South Africa's legendary players praised Suryakumar Yadav's catch. Now Suryakumar Yadav himself has given his reaction regarding this catch.
What did Surya say about the catch?
Suryakumar Yadav, while talking to a media channel, said that when I caught the ball inside the boundary, I knew that I had not touched the boundary line. I went outside the boundary and then came inside and caught the catch again. I was very confident about my catch that I caught it very accurately. I have practiced this catch from different angles. I was already prepared because captain Rohit Bhai and Hardik had prepared the fielding for the wide yorker. Miller played a straight shot in the air and then it came to my mind that I have to catch it at any cost. We always practice fielding before every match.
was throwing the ball towards Rohit Sharma
Suryakumar Yadav said that Rohit bhai usually does not field at long-on. But he was standing there on the ball. When the ball was coming, I looked at him for a second and he looked at me. I ran and aimed to catch the ball. If he was a little closer, I would have thrown the ball towards him but he was quite far. I tossed the ball in the air and tried to catch it by coming inside myself and was successful.
This award boosted my morale
Suryakumar Yadav said that the team's fielding coach T Dilip should also be thanked for this catch. T Dilip has started giving medals for best fielding in the dressing room after the match. Its purpose is to reward those who contribute in fielding apart from batting and bowling in the match. This medal inspires you to make a different contribution in the field.
More than 1000 messages were received
Suryakumar Yadav said that even if I had missed this catch and it had turned into a six, we would have still won the match. Even after this six, South Africa would have needed 10 runs from 5 balls. We would have won the match but our margin would have been less. We tried our best and got results. Suryakumar Yadav said that what happened in those 4 to 5 seconds was like a dream. People are still calling and messaging me. There are more than 1000 messages on WhatsApp. I cannot thank everyone enough. I am very happy to see the love of my loved ones.