Top 5 catches of the 2024 T20 World Cup ft. Suryakumar Yadav vs South Africa
The 2024 T20 World Cup reached a thrilling conclusion in Barbados as India narrowly edged out South Africa by seven runs in the final on Saturday, June 29. With the win, the Men in Blue secured their first ICC title since 2013 and first T20 World Cup trophy since 2007.
The T20 World Cup saw plenty of special efforts on the field, with players from all sides giving it their all. Aiden Markram took a tournament-high eight catches, while Glenn Maxwell, Tristan Stubbs and Harry Brook plucked seven each. Among these grabs were a few sensational ones that will stay in memory for years to come.
On that note, here are the top five catches of the 2024 T20 World Cup, in no particular order.
#5 Suryakumar Yadav vs South Africa
How could you not start with the most important one of them all? In the final over of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a special take to essentially secure India the win.
David Miller miscued a full toss from Hardik Pandya down to the long-off boundary, and it seemed like the ball was headed for six. Suryakumar, however, had other ideas. Even though it was at an uncomfortable height, SKY plucked the ball out of thin air and ensured that he tossed it back into play before his momentum took him over the ropes.
Whether the boundary rope was in its original position or not is debatable, but Suryakumar trotted back onto the field to complete the catch and send Indian fans into a frenzy. It was a tournament-defining moment, if there ever was one.
#4 Aiden Markram vs England
Another final-over pressure catch makes its way onto this list. With England needing 14 runs off the last over against South Africa, Anrich Nortje forced a miscue from Harry Brook, who was looking extremely dangerous. Markram ran back from the circle, keeping his eye on the ball at all times, before snaffling it out of thin air while diving full stretch.
Interestingly, Markram had taken another special catch earlier in the 2024 T20 World Cup against Bangladesh to seal the win for his side. The South African skipper may not have had a great tournament with the bat, but he was sensational on the field.
#3 Steven Taylor vs Pakistan
The United States of America had a memorable run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and their efforts were rewarded by a famous win against Pakistan in the group stage.
Saurabh Netravalkar, who had an excellent tournament, forced an outside edge from Mohammad Rizwan. The ball was dying on Steven Taylor, who was placed at a wide first slip. It was also quite far away from him.
Taylor, though, wasn't deterred. He sprung himself full stretch to his right to pluck the ball inches from the ground with one hand. The USA went on to complete a memorable Super Over win.
#2 Axar Patel vs Australia
Axar Patel had a splendid tournament for India with both bat and ball. His fielding efforts can't be forgotten, either.
In the Men in Blue's final Super 8 clash against Australia, Mitchell Marsh hoicked one towards the deep square leg boundary off Kuldeep Yadav. Axar, stationed a few yards inside the ropes, saw the ball seemingly sail over his head and into the crowd.
However, Axar was always going to put in a concerted leap. He found the ball, which had been struck with some power, nestled in the palm of his non-dominant right hand before he fell to the ground.
India used the terrific fielding effort as a springboard to complete a solid win over the Aussies and push them to the brink of elimination.
#1 Sybrand Engelbrecht vs Bangladesh
Sybrand Engelbrecht is no stranger to sensational fielding efforts. In his final tournament for the Netherlands, the experienced cricketer showed that age is no match for his athleticism.
After Litton Das top-edged a sweep off Aryan Dutt, Engelbrecht had a lot of distance to cover at deep square leg. He raced across the turf and flung himself full stretch, grabbing the ball with both hands to give the Dutchmen a valuable breakthrough.
However, the Tigers won the contest by 25 runs. Engelbrecht top-scored for his team in the chase, with a brisk 33.