'CUSHION HAD MOVED BUT...': SOUTH AFRICA LEGEND ON CONTROVERSY AROUND SURYAKUMAR YADAV'S CATCH IN T20 WORLD CUP 2024 FINAL

India vs South Africa Final, T20 World Cup 2024: Suryakumar Yadav's match-defining catch in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 between India and South Africa remains the big talking point among the fans.

There also have been some unnecessary claims calling the jaw-dropping moment a controversy to which former South Africa pacer Shaun Pollock has responded.

On the final over of the summit clash, the Proteas needed 16 runs and David Miller smashed the first delivery towards the long-off boundary off Hardik Pandya.

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Suryakumar did a brilliant job to first reach there and then caught it but as the momentum was going to take him beyond the boundary line, the star player threw the ball in the air and grabbed it once again while jumping inside the field.

All of the exceptional action took place while Suryakumar's body was on the move, making the catch even more special.

Despite it being a clean catch declared by the umpires back then, there have been voices raised around that the cushion on the boundary line was moved a bit beyond its actual place.

Reacting to the viral picture on social media showing a particular angle of the catch, Pollock said: “The catch was fine. The cushion had moved, but that’s in the course of the game. It had nothing to do with Surya. He didn’t stand on the cushion. Brilliant bit of skill."

What do the ICC Playing Conditions Say?

As per section 19.3, “If a solid object used to mark the boundary is disturbed for any reason, then the boundary shall be considered to be in its original position.”

On the other hand, second 19.3.2 states “If a solid object used to mark the boundary is disturbed for any reason, the object shall be returned to its original position as soon as is practicable; if play is taking place, this shall be as soon as the ball is dead.”

Notably, after Miller's dismissal, Hardik did well to defend the runs as India clinched a seven-run victory to clinch their second T20 World Cup title.

After opting to bat first, India posted a challenging total of 176/7 in their 20 overs on the back of Virat Kohli's 76-run knock as the star batter stepped up on the big occasion and smashed his first fifty of this tournament.

Chasing the target, South Africa had a disappointing start with the loss of two early wickets but were very close to victory before Indian bowlers pulled things back towards the end.

Had Miller stayed at the crease, he might have taken his side home considering his proven finishing skills and the fact that a six on the first ball of the final over would have turned things completely in South Africa's favour.

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Suryakumar admitted that the match was going in South Africa's favour but is glad to have played his role in turning things around.

"Now it's easy to say. But at that time, it felt like a trophy was sailing over the boundary to the other side. But yeah, in that moment, you don't think the ball will cross the boundary line and go for six. Whatever was in my control, I tried it. And wind was also a good factor at that moment and helped me a little bit. And we have done a lot of practice sessions with our fielding coach and taken a lot of catches like this. So when it comes to a game like this, our presence of mind is very important," said Suryakumar.