Indian cricket fans will never forget the final over of the 2024 ICC T20 World  Cup, it was so heart stopping. In the final over, with South Africa needing 16 runs to  win, David Miller, their most destructive batter, was on the crease. It was tense. And then there was the catch, the incredible grab by Suryakumar Yadav at the  boundary, a moment that sealed India’s victory and their second T20 World Cup title, after 17  long years.        

Suryakumar Yadav on His Match-Winning Catch: “I Watch  It Every Hour”

In his words: How he feels about his game changing moment,  Suryakumar Yadav opened up on.

“I watch it every hour. I get a lot of chances to  use my phone and I watch it a lot of times and I am very grateful.”

This statement shows  how much the significance of his catch is not only to him but to millions of Indian cricket fans who  watched history being created.

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The Game-Changing Catch

The turning point moment occurred in the last over bowled by Hardik Pandya. David Miller, who has a reputation of winning games for his team, smashed a massive shot in the direction of long-off. For a brief moment, Indian hearts stopped beating. But then suddenly, Suryakumar Yadav judged the jump to perfection, caught the ball, and kept himself inside the boundary rope—giving India a dismissal that shattered the dreams of South Africa.

India went on to win the final seven runs, courtesy of exceptional death bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Pandya, but Suryakumar's catch was the standout moment that will be remembered.

The Power of Fitness and Reflexes

That one spectacular catch didn't come through luck-it was a product of intense fitness practice and quick reflexes. The speed, quickness, and accuracy of Suryakumar Yadav bespeak the superlative state of fitness which contemporary cricketers enjoy. From grueling exercise routines to specific field practice, players pump in lots of money into the fitness regimen just to achieve something like that on the field. 

Social Media Buzz and Fan Engagement

In the digital age, sensational sporting moments don't remain on the pitch-they burst on the internet. Yadav's catch went viral the moment it happened, with millions of fans posting, debating, and rejoicing over it on social media. Such moments enable cricketers to establish their brand, grow fan base, and make the sport even more exciting for global viewers.

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During the third and final ODI match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, New Zealand paceman Matt Henry pulls off a near-impossible catch at the long-off boundary to dismiss Charith Asalanka of Sri Lanka for a five-ball duck. While doing so, he also managed to recreate the stunning catch Suryakumar Yadav took to deliver India their second T20 World Cup title. 

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Matt Henry's brilliance on the field lifts the Black Caps up

The incident unfolded during the 30th over of the Lankan innings. Charith Asalanka was facing up to Doug Bracewell from round the wicket. While stilling batting on 0, Asalanka made up his mind to take the aggressive route. But as fate would have it, Asalanka did not succeed in his mission and subsequently holed out to Henry at long-on.

During the second ball of the 30th over, Asalanka used his feet to charge down the wicket. For a moment, it looked like he hit it cleanly. The ball was destined to go over the ropes but Henry had other ideas. Henry covered good ground to his right and completed the catch before releasing it up in the air. He briefly went over the ropes while the ball was airborne but got himself back on the field of play just in the nick of time to complete a brilliant catch thus recreating the Suryakumar-esque catch from the the T20 WC Final.

See the video:

🗣️"Matt Henry's taken a ripper!"

Outstanding work on the boundary from the Canterbury quick and the third Sri Lanka wicket falls LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+. #NZvSL #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/7elOufEY6H

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2025

Current state of the match

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Janith Liyanage notched up well-compiled fifties to drive Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 290. In response, more than half of New Zealand's batting order was dismantled as the hosts found themselves reeling at 48-6 by the end of the 13th over. At the time of writing, New Zealand had only four wickets in hand and required 219 runs to chase in the remaining 33 overs.

On a flat track in Barbados, Bumrah bowled two incredible deliveries that got him two wickets. The first one was outstanding, possibly one of the best in the tournament and finals history. It angled into Reeza Hendricks, pitched, and then seamed away to hit the top of off stump, beating the batter’s outside edge.

India’s pace bowlers made a remarkable comeback in the final overs. Even though Axar Patel gave up 24 runs in the 15th over, the pacers stayed calm. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh took important early wickets, and Hardik Pandya provided great support.

In his first over, Bumrah gave away five runs and eight runs in the next, including one boundary that was a shaky steer through deep third.

Bumrah’s tight bowling in death overs

But his last two overs were crucial. He gave away only four runs in the 16th over and in the 17th over he conceded just two runs. Bumrah’s final figures were 2-18.

In the last five overs, the pacers bowled dot balls and took key wickets, leading to a thrilling seven-run defense. Suryakumar Yadav’s catch was a game-changer, adding to the excitement. The Indian team, cheered on by over a billion fans, celebrated a hard-fought victory that highlighted their determination and skill.

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