Sharma Reveals Heart-Stopping Moment of Yadav's Game-Changing Catch in T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma Recalls Heart-Stopping Moment of Suryakumar Yadav's Catch Against South Africa

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has opened up about the nail-biting moments surrounding Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch during their T20 World Cup victory against South Africa in Barbados. The catch, which dismissed David Miller, proved to be a pivotal turning point in the final match.

Speaking to JioHotstar, Sharma described the intense atmosphere as Yadav made the catch at long-off. "Surya was at long-off and that catch—honestly, it was the moment of the match. Even after he took it, the umpires were checking if he touched the rope. Everyone's heart was in their mouth. I was at long-on, watching it unfold. It looked like a six—until Surya flew in and took that blinder. With the wind blowing in, I think it helped pull the ball back slightly."

Sharma further elaborated on the tense moments during the umpire's review. "I was standing next to him during the check. I asked him and he said, 'I think I've caught it.' The zoom camera showed the rope didn't move—which usually happens if it's touched. That gave us some relief. But until it flashed on the big screen, you don't know what the third umpire's going to decide," Sharma said.

The victory also marked a significant milestone for coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure concluded on a high note.

Dravid's Decision to Stay On

Sharma revealed that Rahul Dravid had considered stepping down after the 2023 ODI World Cup. "Rahul bhai wanted to step down after the 2023 World Cup. But we said, 'There's another World Cup in six months. We've come this far. Let's give it one more shot.' He agreed and I'm so glad he did. I'm sure even now he feels that he made the right decision," Sharma added.

Personal Milestone for Rohit Sharma

Reflecting on his journey, Sharma shared his personal feelings about the win. "For me personally, it was also emotional. My identity as a cricketer began with this format in the 2007 T20 World Cup. To come full circle and lift the trophy again in 2024, it was just fantastic."

Semi-Final Strategy Against England

Sharma also discussed the team's strategic approach during their semi-final victory against England in Guyana. "Heading into this semi-final, I was quietly confident. We'd played really good cricket leading up to this match and everyone was in form, and we were doing exactly what we had set out to do as a team. Of course, the 2022 loss to England was in the back of our minds—it should be."

He further explained the changes made since their previous encounter. "It was a heavy defeat. But we learned from that. From 2022 to 2024, we changed a lot of things: our mindset, our preparation, and the way we approached key moments. This time, we were fully prepared. There was belief, and there was clarity in what we wanted to achieve."

Importance of Early Wickets

The captain highlighted the significance of taking early wickets, particularly against England's formidable batting lineup. "Taking wickets in the powerplay was crucial as half the job gets done there. And against England, it was especially important. Both, Buttler and Salt are dangerous, but Buttler is their key player. He's experienced, plays around the world, and knows our bowlers well and how to play Axar, Kuldeep, and Bumrah. So, getting him early was critical."

Sharma concluded by detailing the plan that led to England's downfall. "We got his wicket in the third over, and Salt in the next. Once that happened, we knew we were halfway there. After that, the game slowed down. We brought on the spinners—Kuldeep, Axar, and Jaddu and they bowled beautifully. The pitch was helping spin, and the idea was to get the slower bowlers on as early as possible," Sharma explained.