Sharma Reveals 'Heart in Mouth' Moment After Yadav's Stunning Catch Seals India's T20 Victory

Sharma Reflects on Yadav's Decisive Catch and India's T20 Triumph

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has opened up about the tense moments surrounding Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch during their T20 World Cup victory against South Africa in Barbados. He pinpointed the dismissal of David Miller as the turning point in the final match.

Speaking to JioHotstar, Sharma recounted the nail-biting atmosphere. "Surya was positioned at long-off, and that catch—honestly, it was the moment of the match. Even after the catch, the umpires meticulously checked if he had touched the boundary rope. Our hearts were in our mouths. I was at long-on, witnessing the drama unfold. Initially, it seemed destined to be a six, but then Surya intervened with that stunning catch. The wind, blowing inward, I believe assisted in pulling the ball back slightly."

He further elaborated on the scrutiny that followed the catch. "I stood next to him during the review process. I asked him, and he confidently replied, 'I think I've caught it.' The zoom camera confirmed that the rope remained undisturbed—which is usually not the case if it's touched. That provided us with some relief. However, uncertainty lingered until the final verdict appeared on the big screen; you never know what the third umpire will decide."

The victory was a fitting farewell for coach Rahul Dravid, who initially considered resigning after the 2023 ODI World Cup setback.

Sharma revealed, "Rahul bhai had considered stepping down following the 2023 World Cup. However, we urged him, 'There's another World Cup in six months. We've come this far. Let's give it one more shot.' He agreed, and I am immensely grateful that he did. I believe he now feels vindicated in his decision."

The captain also shared his personal emotions connected to the win. "For me, personally, it was deeply emotional. My journey as a cricketer began with this format in the 2007 T20 World Cup. To complete the circle and lift the trophy once again in 2024 was simply incredible."

Reflecting on their semi-final victory over England in Guyana, Sharma discussed their strategic approach. "Leading into this semi-final, I felt quietly confident. We had been playing exceptional cricket in the lead-up to this match, everyone was in good form, and we were executing our team objectives effectively. Of course, the memory of the 2022 loss to England lingered—as it should."

"It was a crushing defeat. But we learned valuable lessons. Between 2022 and 2024, we implemented significant changes: in our mindset, our preparation, and our approach to crucial moments. This time, we were thoroughly prepared. There was unwavering belief and clarity in our objectives."

Sharma emphasized the importance of securing early wickets during the powerplay overs. "Taking wickets in the powerplay is crucial, as it accomplishes half the task. Against England, it was particularly vital. Both Buttler and Salt pose significant threats, but Buttler is their key player. He's experienced, plays globally, and is well-versed in our bowlers' styles, particularly Axar, Kuldeep, and Bumrah. Therefore, dismissing him early was critical."

"We managed to get his wicket in the third over, followed by Salt in the subsequent over. Once that happened, we knew we were halfway to victory. Subsequently, the game's tempo slowed down. We introduced our spinners—Kuldeep, Axar, and Jaddu—who bowled exceptionally well. The pitch favored spin, and the strategy was to introduce the slower bowlers as early as possible," Sharma concluded.