The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final produced one of the most unforgettable moments in the cricket history when Suryakumar Yadav held on to a sensational catch to dismiss David Miller. The effort, executed under immense pressure in the last over, has already been hailed as one of the greatest catches in the history of the tournament.
The drama unfolded when Miller attempted to clear the ropes while South Africa was still chasing victory. Suryakumar Yadav judged the trajectory perfectly, caught the ball near the boundary and in a split second of awareness, lobbed it back into play before the force of his momentum could carry him past the rope.
Regaining balance, he stepped back into the field and completed the catch, leaving the South African dugout stunned and silencing their hopes. Miller departed for 21 from 17 balls and Hardik Pandya, who was defending 16 runs in the final over, closed out the contest successfully. India went on to secure a thrilling seven-run victory, lifting the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2007.
Yet, the defining moment was not without controversy. Soon after the match, speculation emerged that the boundary rope might not have been positioned correctly. Unverified claims suggested that the cushion had been pushed back, thereby changing the actual dimensions of the field.
Former India batter and now commentator Ambati Rayudu added his perspective to the debate. In an interview, he revealed that broadcasters had adjusted the boundary rope during a break to make space for a chair and a screen, allowing commentators to follow the world feed. He explained that the rope was pushed slightly behind to accommodate this arrangement and was not moved back to its original place once the equipment was removed. “So the boundary became a little bigger for us,” Rayudu said, adding that commentators could notice the difference from the top. He clarified that it remained an absolutely clean catch by Suryakumar Yadav, regardless of the rope’s position, and summed it up by saying that divine intervention seemed to favour India in that decisive moment.
With the victory, India ended a seventeen-year wait to reclaim the T20 crown. Suryakumar Yadav’s composure, athleticism and presence of mind not only secured the team’s triumph but also gave the cricketing world an image that will be remembered for generations.
