Rohit Sharma Relives T20 World Cup Win: Suryakumar Yadav's 'Heart-Stopping' Catch Turned Tide Against South Africa

Rohit Sharma Recalls Suryakumar Yadav's Stunner Against South Africa: 'Heart in My Mouth'

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has reflected on the nail-biting moments of their T20 World Cup victory over South Africa in Barbados. He specifically highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch at long-off, which led to the dismissal of David Miller, as the turning point of the final match.

Speaking to JioHotstar, Rohit Sharma vividly described the tension surrounding Suryakumar's pivotal catch. "Surya was positioned at long-off, and that catch—honestly, it was the moment of the match. Even after he completed it, the umpires meticulously checked to ensure he hadn't touched the boundary rope. Everyone's heart was in their mouth. I was at long-on, closely observing the unfolding drama. Initially, it appeared destined to be a six—until Surya intervened with an incredible catch. The wind's direction, blowing inwards, played a crucial role in slightly altering the ball's trajectory."

He further added, "I was standing right next to him during the review process. I inquired, and he confidently stated, 'I think I've caught it.' The zoom camera confirmed that the rope remained undisturbed—a telltale sign of a clean catch. That brought us a wave of relief. However, the final verdict remained uncertain until it flashed on the big screen, revealing the third umpire's decision."

This victory served as a fitting conclusion to coach Rahul Dravid's tenure, who had initially contemplated stepping down following the disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup.

"Rahul bhai considered resigning after the 2023 World Cup. However, we persuaded him, saying, 'There's another World Cup in just six months. We've come so far together; let's give it one more shot.' He agreed, and I'm immensely grateful that he did. I'm confident that, even now, he believes he made the right decision," Rohit shared.

The captain also expressed his personal feelings about the triumph. "For me personally, it was deeply emotional. My journey as a cricketer began with this format in the 2007 T20 World Cup. To come full circle and once again lift the trophy in 2024 was simply fantastic."

Sharma also shed light on the team's strategic approach during their semi-final victory against England in Guyana. "Heading into this semi-final, I felt quietly confident. We had been playing exceptionally well in the lead-up to this match, and everyone was in good form. We were executing our plans as a team to perfection. Of course, the memory of the 2022 loss to England lingered in the back of our minds—as it should."

"That defeat was a heavy blow. But we learned valuable lessons from it. Between 2022 and 2024, we implemented significant changes: refining our mindset, enhancing our preparation, and adjusting our approach to key moments. This time, we were thoroughly prepared. We had unwavering belief and a clear understanding of our objectives."

The captain stressed the significance of securing early wickets during the powerplay overs. "Taking wickets in the powerplay is crucial, as it accomplishes half the task right there. And against England, it was particularly important. Both Buttler and Salt pose a significant threat, but Buttler is their key player. He is experienced, plays extensively around the world, and possesses a deep understanding of our bowlers and how to play Axar, Kuldeep, and Bumrah. Therefore, dismissing him early was critical."

"We managed to get his wicket in the third over, and Salt in the subsequent one. Once that happened, we knew we were halfway to victory. After that, the game slowed down. We introduced the spinners—Kuldeep, Axar, and Jaddu—and they bowled beautifully. The pitch was conducive to spin, and the strategy was to bring on the slower bowlers as early as possible," Rohit concluded.