Sharma Credits Yadav's 'Heart-in-Mouth' Catch as Key to India's T20 World Cup Win

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

Rohit Sharma, India's victorious captain in the T20 World Cup, has revisited the defining moments of their triumph over South Africa in Barbados a year prior. He pinpointed Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch at long-off, which led to the dismissal of David Miller, as the pivotal play of the final.

Speaking to JioHotstar, Sharma recounted the tense atmosphere surrounding Yadav's crucial grab. "Surya was positioned at long-off, and that catch—honestly, it was the turning point of the match. Even after he secured it, the umpires meticulously checked whether he had touched the boundary rope. Everyone's heart was in their mouth. I was at long-on, observing the unfolding drama. Initially, it seemed destined to be a six, until Surya intervened with a stunning catch. The wind, blowing inward, subtly assisted in pulling the ball back."

Sharma continued, "I was right beside him during the review. I inquired, and he responded, 'I think I've caught it.' The zoom camera confirmed that the rope remained undisturbed—a telltale sign of contact. That provided some reassurance. However, the final verdict rested with the third umpire's decision displayed on the big screen."

The victory marked a fitting conclusion to coach Rahul Dravid's tenure.

"Rahul bhai had considered stepping down following the 2023 World Cup disappointment. However, we urged him, 'There's another World Cup just six months away. We've come this far together; let's give it one more attempt.' He concurred, and I'm incredibly grateful that he did. I'm confident that he now recognizes the wisdom of his decision," Sharma disclosed.

The captain also shared his personal feelings regarding the victory. "For me personally, it held deep emotional significance. My journey as a cricketer commenced with this format in the 2007 T20 World Cup. To complete the circle and once again lift the trophy in 2024 was simply an incredible feeling."

Sharma also shed light on the team's strategic approach during their semi-final victory against England in Guyana. "Heading into this semi-final, I maintained a quiet confidence. We had been playing exceptional cricket leading up to this match, and everyone was in peak form. We were executing precisely what we had envisioned as a team. Naturally, the memory of the 2022 loss to England lingered in the back of our minds—as it should."

He added, "It was a crushing defeat, but we learned valuable lessons from it. Between 2022 and 2024, we implemented significant changes: refining our mindset, enhancing our preparation, and redefining our approach to critical junctures. This time, we were thoroughly prepared. There was unwavering belief, and a clear understanding of our objectives."

Sharma emphasized the significance of securing early wickets during the powerplay overs. "Taking wickets in the powerplay is crucial, as it addresses half the challenge right there. Against England, this was particularly vital. Both Buttler and Salt are formidable batsmen, but Buttler stands out as their key player. He possesses extensive experience, plays extensively around the world, and has a deep understanding of our bowlers, including how to play Axar, Kuldeep, and Bumrah. Therefore, dismissing him early was paramount."

"We managed to get his wicket in the third over, and Salt in the subsequent one. Once that transpired, we knew we had cleared a significant hurdle. Subsequently, the game's tempo slowed down. We introduced the 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.