"We can’t undo whatever’s transpired" - Keshav Maharaj dodges question about Suryakumar Yadav's debated catch in T20 World Cup 2024 final
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj has dodged the question of the much-debated catch of David Miller taken by Suryakumar Yadav in the T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados. The left-arm spinner stated that they can't change the decision which has been made and doesn't want to dwell on the negatives.
With 16 required off the final over of the tournament and Miller on strike, Rohit Sharma threw the ball to Hardik Pandya. The left-hander hit the ball straight down the ground as Suryakumar Yadav took the catch along with stepping over the boundary, but tossed the ball inside in between and returned to take it again.
However, the debate was whether the boundary had been moved, visible by the discoloration of grass. The third umpire gave it not out and Miller had to walk back, crushing the Proteas' hopes.
Speaking to IOL Sport ahead of their departure to South Africa, Maharaj said they only have to focus on what's ahead as the decision made can't be changed.
He said:
"To be honest, we’re just disappointed about the loss and we were literally on a flight out of Barbados due to the weather — so we never really touched base. But that stuff, we can’t undo whatever’s transpired. We just focus on our tasks.
"Whatever decision was made or not made, it’s not going to change the outcome. It’s not good to dwell on the negatives. There’s a time to address certain moments, we will at some stage. We just have to let it sink in, and move forward."
After Miller perished, Kagiso Rabada hit a boundary, but the task became too steep and they fell short by seven runs. The likes of Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock were quite distraught as South Africa could not pull it off despite requiring 30 runs off 30 deliveries at one stage.
"I’m very optimistic about the future" - Keshav Maharaj
Even as South Africa's players are hurting, Maharaj said reaching their first World Cup final is a massive progress for them and feels the only way up his high. The 34-year-old added:
"In a World Cup event where there is high pressure against you, it did show [our progression] to reach a final for the first time. It was hard to swallow at first, but as someone who sees the glass as half full I had my moments to weep about it.
"I’m very optimistic about the future. I think there’s a lot of positives that transpired in the World Cup. To see the growth in the team in such a short space of time it propels you and fuels you to get it right when the next opportunity comes about. So there’s a lot of optimism among the pain and hurt."
Before this tournament, South Africa had tasted seven World Cup semi-final defeats.