Suryakumar Yadav Relives Thrilling T20 World Cup Catch
On July 2, 2024, Indian cricket sensation Suryakumar Yadav recounted the thrilling moments that led to his match-winning catch during the T20 World Cup final. Suryakumar revealed the split-second decision-making and his unwavering focus that ultimately tilted the game in India’s favor.
Speaking to the Indian Express, Suryakumar explained that he was aware of Rohit Sharma’s positioning at long-on, which prompted him to go all-out for the catch at long-off. > “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.”
The young cricketer also addressed the ambiguity surrounding the legality of the catch, stating with certainty that his foot did not touch the boundary rope. > “When I pushed the ball [up and inside the playing area] 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.”
Suryakumar credited the team’s rigorous fielding practice sessions, led by the fielding coach T Dilip, as the driving force behind his ability to execute such high-pressure catches. 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.”
The 28-year-old also emphasized the role of his improved fitness in enhancing his agility and balance on the field. After a challenging period of injury rehabilitation, Suryakumar dedicated himself to a comprehensive fitness regimen, including a strict dietary plan overseen by a nutritionist. > “I ate proper food prepared by my chef. I used to sleep sharp at 10pm and get up early in the morning. Even now, I have decided on my meals for the next week with the help of the chef and nutritionist; they decide how much protein and fat I will have daily, how much water I need to take with my food.”
Suryakumar’s awe-inspiring catch and India’s subsequent triumph at the T20 World Cup have captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The cricketer acknowledged the overwhelming response, stating, > “The catch is all over social media. I’m grateful that I was there in those five seconds of play.”
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