Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has rekindled the controversy around the legality of Suryakumar Yadav's game-winning catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados, nearly fourteen months after the historic moment that ended India's 11-year drought for an ICC title.
Yadav, who was positioned at long-off, juggled the ball close to the boundary cushion before making the last grab that got rid of David Miller and gave India the victory. Some wondered if his foot had touched the rope, but the attempt was immediately praised as one of the best pressure catches in cricket history. Long debates on social media were stoked by fans' analysis of images and videos from various angles.
Rayudu, who was on commentary duty that day, brought up the incident again on the Unfiltered Podcast with Shubhankar Mishra after it had gradually subsided. He said that the boundary rope had been momentarily stretched back to accommodate broadcast equipment during the final, which were then not put back as per the previous measurement.
"There were world feed commentators. During the break, they usually put a chair and a screen there for broadcasters. That’s why the rope was pushed back a little. But after the screen and chair were removed, it was left that way. The boundary ended up being a bit bigger for us. We could see it clearly from above. It was god’s plan," noted Rayudu.
Several Proteas fans and former players had also made a similar claim at the time, posting pictures of the alleged inconsistency online.
However, the cushion itself, not the white line, constitutes the boundary in accordance with ICC's playing standards. Section 19.3 specifies: “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.” Section 19.3.2 adds: “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.”
In answer to a follow-up question regarding the talk, Rayudu replied: “I don’t know if it was a six (in natural circumstances) or not. If the rope had been placed at its normal position, maybe Surya would’ve run from inside.”
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