Suryakumar Yadav’s crucial catch to dismiss David Miller turned out to be the game-changing moment in the 2024 T20 World Cup final but controversy has erupted with question marks over whether the wicket should have stood.
Miller was on strike with South Africa needing 16 off the last over, bowled, by Hardik Pandya when Yadav pulled off a wonderfully judged catch inches away from the boundary rope. Hardik sent down a low wide full toss, which Miller heaved across towards long-off where Yadav was stationed.
The ball seemed destined to be flying over the ropes for six when Yadav appeared out of nowhere and plucked it out of thin air. After a juggling effort, he managed to hold on, with his feet inches away from the boundary rope as Miller departed for a 17-ball 21. Third umpire Richard Kettleborough gave it out after a quick check as India firmed their grip on the trophy.
The catch, rated as "one of the greatest" in cricket history by Ian Smith, was not without controversy, however, with some on social media suggesting Yadav’s shoe had flicked the boundary rope as he ran backwards for the catch.
A South African fan wrote: “This certainly deserved more than one look, just saying. Boundary rope looks like it clearly moves.”
This certainly deserved more than one look, just saying. Boundary rope looks like it clearly moves. 🤷 pic.twitter.com/ulWyT5IJxy
— Ben Curtis 🇿🇦 (@BenCurtis22) June 29, 2024
It was also pointed out that the cushioning of the boundary rope had seemingly moved back before the catch.
19.2.2 is if boundary is marked only by white line.
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) June 29, 2024
19.2.3 is the one applicable here (as there's an object that's in contact)
Unfortunate for South Africa that the exact portion of the rope got pushed back 💔 it is what it is 😶 https://t.co/GEOSCUXbo6 pic.twitter.com/gO2fEhNVYK
The ICC playing conditions make clear that it is the rope, not the white line, that constitutes the boundary. However, section 19.3 states: "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."
The white line suggests, but does not prove, that the rope may have been moved earlier in the contest. If it was moved, then an error was made in not putting it back in position. Section 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."
A closer look at Yadav’s catch confirms that his foot was over the white line but just in front of the cushioning.
A similar incident occurred during the 2023 ODI World Cup when a displaced boundary rope during the Pakistan-Netherlands clash led to questions. In that case, the rope had been moved in an earlier fixture and not replaced, meaning that, for the game in question, the boundary position was correctly taken as the position of the rope, rather than the white line.
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