Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock did not give fire to the controversy around Suryakumar Yadav‘s catch in T20 World Cup 2024 final to dismiss David Miller. David Miller stood between India and the trophy in death overs once Heinrich Klaasen had departed. South Africa needed 16 runs in the final over and Hardik Pandya had the ball in hand. Suryakumar Yadav‘s catch proved out to be the major difference between Indian win and South African loss
Miller hit the low full toss over the bowler’s head. The ball seemed to be going over the ropes but Suryakumar Yadav plucked one out of thin air and managed to pull off a sensational catch to dismiss Miller. After India beat South Africa by seven runs to win T20 World Cup 2024, there were screenshots shared on social media that the cushion was pushed back and it should have been a six. Reacting to the buzz, former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said that the cushion had been moved but lauded Suryakumar Yadav for the match-winning catch.
Suryakumar Yadav explains what went through his mind before taking the catch
After the triumph, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that as he approached the ball running from long-off, it felt like the World Cup trophy is going over the boundary. He also lauded fielding coach T Dilip for preparing him for moments like this. Suryakumar Yadav pointed out that presence of mind is crucial as you are pushing the ball back in play before going outside the boundary and then ensuring the catch is taken cleanly.
“Now it’s easy to say. But at that time, it felt like a trophy was sailing over the boundary to the other side. But yeah, in that moment, you don’t think the ball will cross the boundary line and go for six. Whatever was in my control, I tried it. And wind was also a good factor at that moment and helped me a little bit.
And we have done a lot of practice sessions with our fielding coach and taken a lot of catches like this. So when it comes to a game like this, our presence of mind is very important,” said Suryakumar.
Reacting to the catch, former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said that the cushion had been moved but lauded Suryakumar Yadav for the match-winning catch.
Shaun Pollock comments on boundary cushion being out of place in 20th over of T20 World Cup 2024 final
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock shared his opinion on Suryakumar Yadav’s catch to dismiss David Miller in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Yadav kept his nerve and completed one of the best catches in cricket history to send Miller back to the dressing room on the first ball of the 20th over.
Miller smacked a full toss from Hardik Pandya towards the long-off boundary. It seemed like the ball was headed for a six, but Suryakumar Yadav caught it just centimeters short of the boundary line before jumping outside, throwing the ball up, coming back, and grabbing the ball again.
The third umpire adjudged Miller out, and India went on to win the match by seven runs. After the match ended, some South African fans pointed out that the boundary cushion was not on the white line where it should have been. They even felt that six runs should have been awarded, and Miller should have been not out.
In a video shared by Times of Karachi, Shaun Pollock answered media’s question about the catch controversy and said:
“The catch was fine. The cushion had moved, but that’s in the course of the game. It had nothing to do with Surya. He didn’t stand on the cushion. Brilliant bit of skill.”
Fans agreed with Shaun Pollock after his comments on the Suryakumar Yadav catch controversy
Pollock’s comments have received more than one thousand likes on X already. Almost all social media users agreed with what the former South African captain said.
“Yeah catch was fine,” a fan commented.
Another X user thanked Pollock, who was at the Kensington Oval, for clearing all the doubts of the fans sitting at home.
“Thanks polly for clearing all the doubts,” they said.
Considering what Shaun Pollock had to say, it appears that the catch was clean. Even the third umpire adjudged David Miller out after watching the slow-motion replay multiple times.