Touched the rope? Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence on his historic 'David Miller' catch in T20 WC final

Suryakumar Yadav took a match-turning catch in the final over of the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. The catch is still remembered by most of the fans and is regarded by some as the greatest catch in World Cup history.

The catch was incredibly tough and the situation even tougher. With 16 needed off the last over, David Miller was on strike to face Hardik Pandya. Pandya went for the wide yorker but it turned out to be a low full toss.

Miller used all his power but didn't time the ball well. But at one time, it seemed that the ball would cross the boundary ropes. But unfortunately for Miller, Suryakumar was stationed at the long-off boundary. He took the catch incredibly close to the ropes and realizing that he was going over the boundary, he threw the ball in the air, went inside the boundary, came back, and completed a historic catch.

Miller was South Africa's only recognized batter left to bat and his wicket almost ended South Africa's hopes.

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Suryakumar Yadav explains the game-changing catch

A day after the win, Suryakumar Yadav explained the match situation when he took the historic catch. He revealed that he would have thrown the ball to the long-on fielder Rohit Sharma had he been there.

"Rohit bhai usually never stands at long-on but at that moment he was there. So when the ball was coming, for a second I looked at him and he looked at me. I ran and my aim was to catch the ball. Had he (Rohit) been closer, I would have thrown the ball towards him. But he was nowhere close. In those four to five seconds, whatever happened, I can't explain," Suryakumar said to the Indian Express.

He further revealed that he was aware of his feet not touching the rope and the catch being fair despite the on-field umpires referring to the third umpire to check.

"When I pushed the ball and took the catch, I knew I hadn't touched the rope. The only thing I was cautious about was that when I pushed the ball back inside, my feet don't touch the rope. I knew it was a fair catch. In hindsight, anything could have happened. If the ball had gone for six, the equation would have been five balls, ten runs. We might have still won, but the margin would have been closer," Suryakumar explained.

I have practised it (the catch) at different grounds - Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar also said that he has practiced those catches at different venues. He also revealed about the practice session with India's fielding coach T Dilip before every match that helps him prepare for the upcoming game.

"The catch I took, I have practised it at different grounds, depending on the wind. I was standing a bit wide because Hardik [Pandya] and Rohit bhai had put a field for the wide yorker, and Miller had hit straight. My mind was clear that I have to catch it come what may," he revealed.

"A day before the game, we do a quality fielding session where for 10-12 minutes, we have more than ten high catches, flat catches, direct hits, slip catching. It's not a one-day exercise, I practice these kinds of catches during IPL, during bilateral series. Yesterday's catch was the reward of the hard work done over the years," Suryakumar stated.