New Delhi: Team India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav turned 34 on Saturday, September 14. The swashbuckling batter has established his credentials as one of the best in the world in T20Is and is currently ranked no.2 in the shortest format. Known as Mrs 360 for his wide range of shots and unorthodox batting, Suryakumar has made a name for himself at the highest level.
SKY played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory earlier this year. While he was one of the leading run-getters with the bat, Suryakumar also plucked one of the most important catches of his career to help India win the elusive trophy. He took a stunning game-changing catch on the boundary rope in the final against South Africa to seal India’s victory.
Suryakumar’s game-changing catch in T20 World Cup 2024 final
With the Proteas requiring 16 to win off six balls, David Miller seemed to have crushed India’s hopes when he smashed a low full-toss from Hardik Pandya on the 1st ball of the 20th over. The ball was flying towards the boundary rope but SKY appeared from nowhere to cut it short in the air before juggling it in the air while crossing the rope himself.
He lobbed the ball in the air before crossing the rope and completed a stunning catch after stepping out again. Suryakumar displayed amazing reflexes and presence of mind to ensure he didn’t touch the rope while plucking the catch, with his feet only millimetres away from the cushion. The game-changing catch proved to be the difference as Miller’s wicket turned the final completely in India’s favour.
Hardik went on to successfully defend 16 runs off his final over after the dangerous left-hander’s dismissal to help India beat South Africa by 7 runs and lift the T20 World Cup 2024 title. Apart from his spectacular catch, Suryakumar was also the 2nd highest run-getter for India in the T20 World Cup 2024 with 199 runs from 8 matches.
The most iconic catch in Indian cricket history!
Happy birthday Suryakumar Yadav #HappyBirthdaySKY pic.twitter.com/m4kvJ58A1H
— NIKHIL (@BettrCallBumrah) September 13, 2024
Suryakumar likely to return in Duleep Trophy
Suryakumar, who is currently recovering from a finger injury, was ruled out of his team India C’s second clash against India B in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024. However, his recovery is on track and he is likely to return in India C’s next game having not been selected in India’s Test squad for the Bangladesh series.
His return in the Duleep Trophy will also give SKY a chance to warm up and get some match practice behind his back before the T20I series between India and Bangladesh which gets underway on October 06, Sunday. India C will take on India A in their third game starting September 19.
Suryakumar Yadav pulled off one of the most important catches of his career in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa to help India lift the trophy. Let’s relive the epic catch on his 34th birthday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
