Suryakumar Credits ‘God’s Plan’ for T20WC Final Catch
"I am just grateful to be in that moment to do something special for the country…god's plan it was," Suryakumar said
The post Suryakumar Credits ‘God’s Plan’ for T20WC Final Catch appeared first on Cricket Country.
“It was God’s plan,” Suryakumar Yadav declared on Monday when reflecting on his amazing catch that decided the game during the T20 World Cup final versus South Africa. The play is being praised widely for its flawless combination of athleticism, balance, and understanding of the game.
During a brief phone chat with PTI, the Mumbaikar expressed humility on his contribution to India’s championship win. At the summit match on Saturday in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rohit Sharma’s team upset a formidable South Africa side by a margin of seven runs.
“I am just grateful to be in that moment to do something special for the country…god’s plan it was,” Suryakumar said when asked about the catch that has become a standout moment from the game.
With the big-hitting David Miller for South Africa, they needed 16 runs from the last over.
He hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya but Suryakumar steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, released it just as he went over the boundary ropes and then came back in to complete an astonishing catch.
It reminded many diehard supporters of Kapil Dev’s incredible catch in the 1983 World Cup final against the formidable West Indies. In a brilliant demonstration of good decision-making, Kapil had raced laterally from mid-on to seize a top edge off Madan Lal’s bowling from the legendary Viv Richards.
The 33-year-old Suryakumar made sure on Saturday that whenever an Indian fan thinks back to the Bridgetown see-saw conclusion, his name will also be remembered with fondness.
Prior to that, the equation was 30 runs from the same number of balls, but South Africa made a classic error when Hardik Pandya dismissed a well-positioned Heinrich Klaasen for 52, starting the collapse.
In their chase of 177, the Proteas eventually conceded four wickets for 17 runs, bringing their total down to 169/8.
T Dilip, the fielding coach for India, praised Suryakumar’s judgment and alertness as well.
“When the moment comes, it’s his decision and awareness of rope, that’s very important, and knowing with confidence that he can throw and come back, it’s a decision-making at that time, and he got on to that,” Dilip had said.
“We fielded like a pack of wolves, as Rahul bhai and Rohit keep saying… Everybody knew their roles but together we hunted every opportunity which came our way leaving no stone unturned,” he added.
The title conquest ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title for India.
The side is currently stranded in Bridgetown due to a category 4 hurricane that has pounded the island leading to a complete shutdown of air services.
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