"I could see World Cup flying…" Suryakumar Yadav reveals how he pulled off sensational catch to send back David Miller

Suryakumar Yadav pulled off an astonishing catch at long-off of David Miller.

Suryakumar Yadav proved to be the hero in the field for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final as his vital catch of David Miller in the last over helped India win by seven runs and become T20 world champions again.

South Africa had messed up the chase in the final as the equation went from needing 30 runs in 30 balls to 16 runs in the final over. Hardik Pandya was tasked to bowl the last over with Miller at the crease.

On the first delivery, Hardik bowled a wider full toss and Miller hit the ball down the ground. Suryakumar, who was positioned at long-off, ran towards his left side while being close to the boundary line.

The ball looked to be sailing over the boundary ropes but Suryakumar grabbed the ball near the boundary line. Since his running momentum was carrying him over the ropes, he lobbed the ball in the air, went a couple of steps outside the boundary cushion, came back in the playing field and completed a mind-blowing catch to dismiss Miller. Miller had to walk back after the TV umpire confirmed the decision.

All I could see was the World Cup flying away: Suryakumar Yadav

When queried about what was he thinking while settling under the ball, Suryakumar said all he saw was the World Cup trophy and he grabbed it by giving his best effort.

“I really don’t know what was going through my mind. All I could see was the World Cup flying away and I just latched on to it,” Suryakumar said, as quoted by Times of India.    

Two catches are on par: Roger Binny on comparisons of Suryakumar Yadav’s catch with Kapil Dev’s 1983 grab

Suryakumar Yadav’s catch has been compared to Kapil Dev’s catch of Viv Richards in the final of the 1983 World Cup. Defending 183 runs, India were getting pummelled by Viv Richards. But then Richards offered a catch and Kapil Dev ran backward quite a distance from square leg to complete a tough catch.

The BCCI president Roger Binny, who was part of Kapil’s title-winning India squad, feels that Suryakumar’s catch is on par with his former captain’s effort.

“Kapil’s catch was magnificent in its own right. He had to run back, keep an eye on the ball and complete the catch, which he did with great ease. This was a case of incredible athleticism, where Surya was dealing with the variable of the boundary rope. We would have probably lost if he had dropped it, just as it was with Kapil’s catch. These two catches are on a par,” Binny said.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.