Rohit Sharma Details 'Heart-in-Mouth' Moment During Suryakumar Yadav's Game-Changing Catch Against South Africa

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has reflected on the pivotal moments of their T20 World Cup victory against South Africa in Barbados, pinpointing Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch that dismissed David Miller. He described it as the game-changing play of the final match.

Speaking to JioHotstar, Sharma recounted the nail-biting tension surrounding Yadav's catch at long-off. "Surya was positioned at long-off, and that catch—honestly, it defined the match. Even after he secured it, the umpires meticulously checked if he had touched the boundary rope. Everyone's heart was in their mouth. I was stationed at long-on, witnessing the entire sequence unfold. Initially, it appeared destined to be a six—until Surya intervened with a spectacular grab. I believe the wind, blowing inward, subtly aided in pulling the ball back."

Sharma continued, "I stood beside him during the review. I questioned him, and he confidently stated, 'I think I've caught it.' The zoom camera confirmed that the rope remained stationary—which typically moves upon contact. That offered us some reassurance. However, definitive confirmation awaited the big screen's verdict from the third umpire."

The victory also served as a memorable send-off for coach Rahul Dravid, who had considered resigning after the 2023 ODI World Cup disappointment.

"Rahul bhai contemplated stepping down following the 2023 World Cup. However, we persuaded him, stating, 'Another World Cup awaits in six months. We've progressed this far. Let's seize one more opportunity.' He concurred, and I am exceedingly pleased that he did. I am confident that he now acknowledges the wisdom of his decision," Sharma revealed.

The captain also shared his personal feelings about the triumph. "Personally, it evoked profound emotions. My journey as a cricketer commenced with this format during the 2007 T20 World Cup. To complete the circle and once again lift the trophy in 2024 was simply extraordinary."

Sharma further elaborated on the team's strategic execution in their semi-final triumph against England in Guyana. "Leading up to this semi-final, I harbored quiet confidence. We had consistently delivered exceptional cricket in preceding matches, with every player displaying peak form, adhering precisely to our pre-established team objectives. Naturally, the 2022 defeat against England lingered in our collective consciousness—as it should."

"It was a crushing defeat. However, we gleaned valuable lessons from it. Between 2022 and 2024, we implemented significant changes: refining our mindset, enhancing our preparation, and revolutionizing our approach to crucial junctures. This time, we were meticulously prepared. We possessed unwavering belief and unequivocal clarity regarding our desired outcomes."

The captain underscored the significance of securing early wickets during the powerplay overs. "Claiming wickets during the powerplay is paramount, effectively accomplishing half the task. Against England, this was especially critical. Both Buttler and Salt pose formidable threats, but Buttler remains their linchpin. He boasts vast experience, competes globally, and possesses intimate knowledge of our bowlers, including strategies to counter Axar, Kuldeep, and Bumrah. Therefore, dismissing him early was imperative."

"We succeeded in capturing his wicket during the third over, followed by Salt in the subsequent over. Upon achieving this, we recognized that we had traversed halfway toward victory. Subsequently, the game's tempo decelerated. We introduced our spin bowlers—Kuldeep, Axar, and Jaddu—who executed their deliveries with exquisite precision. The pitch favored spin, prompting our strategic decision to introduce the slower bowlers as early as feasible," Sharma concluded.