In the just ended T20 World Cup 2024 final, India’s victory over South Africa was secured by a flash of brilliance. Cricket fans are debating Suryakumar Yadav’s game-changing catch, which dismissed David Miller in the final over.
Speaking on the controversy, former India opener and well-known pundit Aakash Chopra has urged detractors to broaden their perspectives and gain a clearer understanding of the circumstances.
David Miller hit a low full toss from Hardik Pandya’s opening bowl towards long-off in the thrilling finish, with Proteas needing 16 runs off the final over. Yadav ran over to collect the catch, displaying his extraordinary fielding abilities. He threw the ball back into play as his momentum carried him towards the boundary, but he lost his footing and came back to finish the catch on his second try.
The question of whether the boundary had been changed emerged after a widely shared aerial photograph seemed to show a white line past the boundary cushion. In response to these queries, Chopra described the circumstances.
Also read: I was aware that I hadn’t touched the rope, Suryakumar Yadav says, retelling the Miller catch.
“Someone mentioned that the original white line was visible, which suggests that the feet would have pushed the skirting behind. I then remark, “Push your brain a little—nothing was pushed.” He said on his YouTube channel, “Open your mind a little and understand the rules.”
You’re right that the line is regarded as the boundary, but why was it placed ahead of the skirting? It is as a result of the abundance of pitches on the ground. It follows that the boundary ropes are modified when the contest moves from one pitch to another. Additionally, Chopra mentioned that this was not the first match to be played in Barbados.
Nothing is concealed from the thirty to forty cameras present: Aakash Chopra
The pundit went on to explain that boundary ropes are modified in accordance with how matches change pitches. He noted that the white line that was visible was probably left over from a game that was played on a separate surface.
Since the ground’s dimensions will vary, you had to modify the markings that had been completed for the initial pitch. That’s it, nothing more to it; those lines are left behind the instant they alter,” he continued. Claims that Yadav, 33, had purposefully altered the boundary to complete his catch were refuted by the former cricket player.
Suryakumar Yadav made the catch when inside, threw the ball up as he was leaving, and then returned to catch it. It was all pretty clear. No viewpoint could have shown it more clearly,” he went on.
The 46-year-old said that there were enough cameras on the pitch to record any boundary line alterations done during play. “The number of cameras was adequate. That is the case for each and every international match. Actually, this was the ICC World Cup, and we had 26 cameras in the Bengal Pro T20 league. Nothing is concealed from the 30–40 cameras, “said Chopra in closing.
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