T20 World Cup winner Suryakumar Yadav has addressed the controversy over his spectacular catch of David Miller, which was pivotal in India's seven-run victory over South Africa in the final held in Bridgetown, Barbados. Speaking about the catch that altered the match's outcome, Yadav emphasized that he did not touch the boundary line, saying, "We can’t keep everyone happy."
Yadav made these comments while talking to reporters after visiting the renowned Sri Hosa Marigudi temple. He had recently returned to India following the team's victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup.
In response to media inquiries about claims that he touched the boundary line, Yadav stated, "I didn’t touch the line when I caught the ball in the final match against South Africa. We can’t keep everyone happy. I did what occurred to me as correct. By the grace of God, I was there when the ball came towards me. I got a chance to take the catch. I am relishing that moment."
When questioned about whether he had trained for such a catch, Yadav explained, "I had practiced many times to take a catch like that one. During the match, my mind was calm. God gave me an opportunity to do well for the country."
Sources indicated that Yadav had vowed to offer special prayers at the temple following the Indian team's success at the T20 World Cup.
Asked if he said 'Jai Sriram' at that moment, Yadav responded, "It was a dream of crores of people and our dream to win the World Cup. At that moment I could think of nothing."
Regarding his habit of chewing gum while batting, Yadav said, "I like it, whenever I go to bat, I want to play and enjoy the game. That is also a part of my batting."
Accompanied by his wife Devisha Shetty, who hails from Karnataka’s Mangalore, Yadav arrived in Udupi city on Tuesday. The temple management greeted them with a garland.
The couple offered prayers to the Goddess Sri Mariyamma Devi.
Speaking about his temple visit, Yadav shared, "Once I got down and entered the temple, I felt good. I experienced absolute peace and it calmed my mind. We will come back here whenever the sacred event is being held. I had visited the temple earlier for a little while. It was before five years."
"On revisiting the temple after five years, I am feeling good yet again. The first time I came by myself and this time, Kapu temple’s goddess wanted me here. Now, I have come here as a normal person on Devisha’s suggestion," Yadav added.
"After seeing the huge turnout of people in Mumbai (to welcome the team), we wanted to spend time in the village and I had to take darshan of goddesses. I have not come here as a celebrity. I don’t even think of myself as a celebrity. Because, after a certain point one has to live a normal person’s life for a long duration," he opined.
"Whatever you do it becomes part of life. That’s how I think," he concluded.
When asked about his wedding anniversary, Yadav revealed that he did not have to cut so many cakes as he did this time. "It was special because it fell on the eighth day after I took the catch in the T20 World Cup," he said.
The temple authorities facilitated the couple’s visit, and local police provided special security around the temple.
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