How Suryakumar Yadav’s heart-stopping boundary-line catch, resembling with Lagaan's climax, sent entire India into an emotional frenzy
How Suryakumar Yadav’s heart-stopping boundary-line catch, resembling with Lagaan's climax, sent entire India into an emotional frenzy
NEW DELHI: In the year 2001, Aamir Khan's film Lagaan had a nerve-wrenching climax scene when England captain Andrew Russell caught protagonist Bhuvan at the fence on the last ball of the match but went over the boundary line, resulting in an Indian win.
As soon as Bhuvan's team defeated the English at their own game, the emotions ran wild in the entire Champaner village as fans rejoiced at the miracle with 'Hum Jeet Gaye' chants.
And something spectacular, on similar lines, happened on Saturday but with a little twist that once again brought the best out of the Indian fans.
During India's final clash against South Africa in Barbados, a catch was taken at a crucial juncture in the game, but unlike Lagaan, this time an Indian was fielding and he just managed to stay within the boundary line, pulling off one of the greatest catches.
Showcasing impeccable presence of mind and agility, Suryakumar Yadav grabbed a heart-stopping boundary-line catch to get rid of dangerous David Miller in the final over, it pushed Indian fans into an euphoric state.
As Miller flat-batted a Hardik Pandya full-toss down the ground, Surya at long-off, hurled towards the sight-screen. He grabbed the ball with both hands in a running motion while seeing himself going over the boundary-line.
Adjusting beautifully close to the ropes, Surya lobbed the ball high in the air before crossing the fence as he went across. But with the ball still in the air, Surya regathered himself, got in the area of play again and then went on to complete the catch.
The catch turned out to be the major turning point in the game as a dangerous Miller looked set to take the Proteas to their first-ever T20 World Cup title.
But it was not supposed to happen as a Surya masterclass gave India back the control in the game which Rohit Sharma and co. eventually went on to win by 7 runs.
It was the second T20 World Cup title for India after their win in the inaugural edition in 2007.
The title also helped India end the 11-year ICC title drought. Before the title win on Saturday, India had won an ICC Champions trophy back in 2013.
After India's title win, talismanic Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game.
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