August 30, 2024

South African Star Criticizes Suryakumar’s T20 Catch, Faces Backlash

South African cricketer Tabraiz Shamsi recently took a jab at Suryakumar Yadav’s incredible boundary-line catch during the 2024 T20 World Cup final. The catch, which took place in Barbados, quickly went viral, showcasing Yadav’s remarkable athleticism and sharp instincts on the field. However, the catch sparked controversy, as it was executed with a razor-thin margin, leaving fans and players divided over its legality.

The moment unfolded in the final over of the match, with South Africa needing 16 runs to secure a victory. David Miller, one of South Africa’s most dangerous hitters, was on strike and faced a wide full toss delivered by Indian bowler Hardik Pandya. Miller launched the ball toward long-off, seemingly heading for a crucial boundary. 

Positioned at the edge of the boundary line, Suryakumar Yadav leaped into action, catching the ball mid-air. However, as he saw it, he momentarily crossed the boundary, realizing it just in time. Yadav cleverly re-entered the field of play and completed the catch, stunning the crowd.

Though the catch was ultimately deemed legal, it stirred debate, with Shamsi’s comment fueling the fire. Still, Yadav’s catch stands out as a pivotal moment in the championship.

South Africa star Tabraiz Shamsi took a dig at the catch in a X post on Thursday. “If they used this method to check the catch in the world cup final maybe it would have been given not out,” he wrote in a post. Along with the post was a video showing a local cricket match. 

The post didn’t sit well with many social media users, with several accusing Shamsi of “”crying”” and calling him a sore loser.

Then, Shamsi issued a clarification. “In case some people dont understand that it’s meant to be a joke and no one is crying… let me explain it to you like a 4 year old child . It’s A Joke,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has expressed his ambition to “”earn a spot”” in the Indian Test team, stating that red-ball cricket is his priority. Ten Test matches are scheduled for India in the upcoming months. Suryakumar is a regular in India’s white-ball squads, however he has only participated in one test match, which was against Australia in February 2023. In his one inning, he managed just eight runs. That same year, he was named a reserve player in the ICC World Test Championship Final squad.

With players like Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar also competing for a place, Suryakumar acknowledges the tough competition ahead.

“There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again,” Suryakumar said as quoted by ICC.

“I made my debut for India in Tests. After that, I got injured as well. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now,” he added.

The 33-year-old Suryakumar Yadav is gearing up to make a return to red-ball cricket by participating in the prestigious Duleep Trophy, a critical domestic tournament in India. Representing his home team, Mumbai, Suryakumar is keen to sharpen his skills in the game’s longer format, aiming to showcase his abilities and stake a claim for a place in the Indian Test squad. This return to red-ball cricket signals Suryakumar’s dedication to proving himself beyond limited-overs formats, where he has already established a strong reputation.

The Duleep Trophy is renowned for being a platform where domestic players can perform under pressure and showcase their talent for national selection. Suryakumar aims to strengthen his case for selection in India’s Test side by participating in this tournament, especially with a packed Test calendar in the months ahead. India is slated to play several high-profile Test matches. Suryakumar’s participation in these domestic tournaments could prove crucial in his efforts to earn a spot.

Suryakumar will compete in the Buchi Babu tournament, another prestigious event in India’s domestic cricket circuit, in addition to the Duleep Trophy. Participating in both tournaments is a larger strategy to improve his red-ball credentials. Despite being a regular in India’s white-ball teams, Suryakumar has played just one Test match to date, and he is eager to add more Test caps to his career. The competition for a spot in India’s Test middle order is fierce, with players like Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar all vying for limited spots.

By playing in these tournaments, Suryakumar demonstrates his commitment to red-ball cricket and his determination to make a mark in India’s Test team despite the stiff competition ahead.

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