"I did not think that it would come at that moment" - Suryakumar Yadav opens up on his 2024 T20 World Cup final catchÂ
Suryakumar Yadav wowed fans with his heroics on the field during Team India's 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados last month. With the Proteas requiring 16 runs to win off the last over, the match was evenly poised, given that a well-set David Miller was still at the crease.
Hardik Pandya kicked off the final over with a low full-toss, which was hit down the ground by Miller. While it initially appeared that the ball would sail over the ropes for a maximum, Suryakumar Yadav at long-off had other plans.
He completed a stunning juggling catch to send Miller back to the pavilion. The Men in Blue ultimately eked out a seven-run victory in the thrilling summit clash to lift the trophy.
Exactly a month after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, the BCCI shared a video on its official social media handles featuring Suryakumar. The swashbuckling batter spoke about how he hadn't expected to take such a catch at a crucial juncture in the final.
Mentioning that it was a moment that he would cherish all his life, Suryakumar said:
"This will stay with me forever because I have done those things in my practice sessions a lot. But I did not think that it would come at that moment, World Cup Final and that situation. I am very grateful for that, to be doing something special on a special occasion. But yeah, as you said, that will remain with me forever. It won't be a one-month challenge or a one-year challenge. I think it will be for a lifetime."
Virat Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Match in the final for his 76-run knock, while Jasprit Bumrah was named the Player of the Tournament. India became the first-ever men's team to win a T20 World Cup unbeaten.
Suryakumar Yadav was named India's new T20I captain after 2024 T20 World Cup
Skipper Rohit Sharma and senior players Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja announced their T20I retirement following the Men in Blue's 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
Following the showpiece event, Suryakumar Yadav was appointed India's new T20I skipper. His stint began with a three-match away series against Sri Lanka.
Under Suryakumar's captaincy, India trumped Sri Lanka in the first two fixtures of the ongoing series to take an unassailable 2-0 lead. The third and final match of the series will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30.