Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock has shared his thoughts on Suryakumar Yadav's game-changing catch in the last over of the T20 World Cup final, played between India and South Africa in Barbados.
The Proteas were were 161-6 and needed 16 runs in the final over to win the match. Hardik Pandya bowled the final over and on the first ball, David Miller hit straight but Yadav ran from long off and caught the ball just inside the boundary rope.
Yadav realised he was going over the boundary and threw the ball in the air, went inside the boundary, and then came back on the field to complete a fine catch that turned out to be the turning point of the game for India.
When Shaun Pollock was asked to give his two cents on Yadav's catch, he clearly stated that the catch was fine and he didn't stand on the cushion.
"The catch was fine. I mean, the cushion had moved, that's in the cause of the game. It had nothing to do with Surya (Suryakumar Yadav). He didn’t stand on the cushion, brilliant bit of skill," Pollock told Times of Karachi in Barbados after the game.
His catch played a crucial role in India's victory as South Africa were left with the lower-order batters, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, to finish the job. However, the target proved far too challenging for them, allowing India to secure a thrilling win.
Earlier, with 30 runs needed off 30 balls and Heinrich Klaasen in full flow, South Africa seemed on course for their first-ever ICC trophy win. But Jasprit Bumrah returned to bowl a brilliant spell, followed by Hardik Pandya, who took the crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, bringing India back into the match.
Bumrah conceded just 6 runs in his final spell and also claimed the wicket of Marco Jansen, putting South Africa under immense pressure. Bumrah's new ball partner, Arshdeep Singh, was equally impressive, picking up 2-20 in his four overs.