File photo of Suryakumar Yadav.© X (Twitter)

Suryakumar Yadav in action for India against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024 final© AFP

David Miller said that he will continue to be available and play for the Proteas.© AFP

Suryakumar Yadav was spot on with his decision-making and awareness while pulling off the game-changing catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados, said India’s fielding coach T Dilip. Needing 16 runs from the final over, the dangerous David Miller hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya but Suryakumar steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, released it just as he went over the boundary ropes and then came back in to complete an astonishing catch.

“When the moment comes, it’s his decision and awareness of rope, that’s very important, and knowing with confidence that he can throw and come back, it’s a decision making at that time, and he got on to that,” Dilip told PTI Video while speaking about the catch.

Dilip, who had started the innovative practice of awarding medals for best fielding performance at training, said the young and experienced players “gel well” and called it one of the best things of this Indian team.

“I must give credit to the players for taking time out to come for even optional practice despite such a tight schedule. They themselves take responsibility and come for optional practice.

“Second, we all come through a system, like India A, NCA… One great thing about this squad is that there is a combination of experienced players and a combination of youth, and they really gel well together,” Dilip said after the team’s title triumph on Saturday.

Dilip is the best example of someone who has risen through the ranks, coaching in a state cricket academy’s junior age-group programme, serving as an assistant fielding coach in the now defunct IPL side Deccan Chargers while also spending a decade at the National Cricket Academy.

He has put in the hard yards since being appointed to the post and it reflected in the India’s efforts on the field.

He said it is difficult to track the white ball while taking high catches during daytime matches.

“Especially under clear sky, it becomes really difficult, and for that too we say that track the ball so that you get that much anchor point. So, if there is cloud, floodlights, then it becomes easier to track. But, definitely, it’s still not easy to track, especially for players from the sub-continent,” Dilip said.

Since 2012, Dilip has worked at various ZCA (Zonal Cricket Academy) and NCA age-group camps. He has worked with the likes of Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal during his NCA days and hence, there is a familiarity with the younger group of cricketers in the national set-up.

As far as the senior players are concerned, his good work didn’t go unnoticed by erstwhile NCA director and outgoing India head coach Rahul Dravid, who ensured that Dilip got regular India A assignments, which would also help him develop training modules for elite cricketers. 

Suryakumar Yadav in action for India during T20 World Cup 2024 final© X (formerly Twitter)

South Africa will face India in the Final of the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on June 29 at 8:00 PM IST. The most-awaited clash will be hosted at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. South Africa are yet to add the coveted silverware to their trophy cabinet while India won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup 2007 played in Johannesburg.

T20 World Cup 2024 Final

As we reach the climax of the ninth edition, it is worth noting that both teams South Africa and India, have remained unbeaten in the tournament so far.

The Aiden Markram-led team broke the jinx of SA’s knockout games vs Afghanistan in Trinidad in a Semi-Final clash to feature in the Final on June 29. While Rohit Sharma’s men overcame the ghosts of Adelaide 2022 to beat England and inch closer to the 2024 trophy.

Key player battles ahead of the SA vs IND Final

As we head into the adrenaline-filled day of T20 cricket, here are some interesting player battles to keep an eye on:

1. Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20 World Cups with 1,216 runs in 34 games. However, Kohli’s recent form says otherwise. In seven matches of the ongoing tournament, the top-order batter has managed only 75 runs with a top score of 37. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada has been one of their go-to bowlers for much-needed dismissals. In eight games, the right-arm pacer has taken 12 wickets.

Kohli has faced Rabada in six T20Is and has fallen prey to him once at a decent average of 7.5. While the chase master has scored only 15 runs out of 16 balls faced. In the upcoming clash, Rabada’s form will be crucial for his team’s success in the power play.

2. Rohit Sharma vs Keshav Maharaj

In this tournament, Rohit Sharma has led India’s batting from the front with 248 runs in seven games. His three half-centuries with a top score of 92 highlights his blazing form. Keshav Maharaj, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has performed decently with nine wickets in seven matches and can trouble the Indian skipper on the spin-friendly pitch at Kensington Oval.

Furthermore, what makes this face-off interesting is that in their only T20I encounter, the Proteas talent has dismissed Rohit while giving only just 11 runs.

3. Quinton de Kock vs Arshdeep Singh

The only South African batter to cross 200 runs in this tournament is Quinton de Kock with 204 runs in eight outings. On the opposite side, Arshdeep Singh, a young pacer, has climbed up the ranks for the Men in Blue with 15 wickets in seven appearances. His best T20I spell of 4/9 was recorded against the USA earlier this month.

Predominantly, Arshdeep has enjoyed bowling against de Kock in T20Is as the left-arm pacer has dismissed him twice at an average of six while conceding only 12 runs at a strike rate of 100.

4. David Miller vs Hardik Pandya

With 148 runs in seven innings in the T20 World Cup 2024, David Miller has provided crucial support in the middle order. India’s Hardik Pandya has also made his presence felt with his all-round abilities. With the ball, Pandya has scalped eight wickets in seven matches.

In a twist of fate, Miller and Pandya have shared the dressing room while playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2022 and 2023. In the T20I setup, Pandya has got Miller’s wicket thrice out of six match-ups while Miller has managed 31 runs in 27 balls faced. It’ll be interesting to see how the two players battle it out as rivals on one of cricket’s biggest occasions.

5. Suryakumar Yadav vs Tabraiz Shamsi

After scoring 196 runs in seven games, Suryakumar Yadav is on the list of the top 10 run-getters in this edition of the World Cup. The right-handed batter also has two fifties to his credit. Tabraiz Shamsi, South Africa’s experienced left-arm wrist spinner has also made a difference with 11 wickets in just four games.

In their three T20I face-offs, both players are placed evenly. Suryakumar has plundered the left-arm spinner at a strike rate of 121.43 while Shamsi has removed Suryakumar once. With three boundaries and a maximum, the Indian batter has scored 34 runs in 28 balls against Shamsi.

WI vs SA T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE Updates: West Indies final chance in Super 8.© X (Twitter)

West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Live Streaming: West Indies could see curtains drawn to their 2024 T20 World Cup on home soil, if they lose to South Africa in the final Super 8 game. West Indies currently lie on the same number of points as England, but with a better net run rate, and a loss for the English to the USA would see West Indies and South Africa qualify no matter what. While South Africa come into the game with a 100% win record in the T20 World Cup so far, a big defeat for them, along with a big win for England, could dramatically swing the scales.

When will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Monday, June 24 (IST).

Where will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

What time will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 6:00 AM IST. The toss will take place at 5:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Quinton de Kock made a coruscating fifty and bowlers responded bravely to the challenge of defending a sub-par total as South Africa thwarted a late England surge to eke out a tight seven-run win in their Group 2 Super Eight match in the T20 World Cup at Gros Islet, St Lucia on Friday. England had done well to keep South Africa to 163/6 in spite of De Kock’s 38-ball 65, but lost their way despite a spirited fightback from Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33). They eventually finished at 156 for six.

South Africa’s perfection in executing their plans of taking the pace off the ball corresponded with England’s refusal to show intent as the defending champions did not find a single boundary between the fifth and the 12th over.

Brook and Livingstone did extremely well to stage a fightback to bring England back into the game but South Africa held their nerves, despite making plenty of errors, to keep their winning run in this World Cup intact.

England were still significantly far from target needing 46 runs to win from the final four overs but Ottneil Baartman, who had been measly throughout the group stage, sent down plenty of full-tosses as 21 runs were knocked off in the 17th over.

But Kagiso Rabada (2/32) stamped his class as he had Livingstone (33 off 17b, 3x4s, 2x6s) caught at deep backward square leg in the 18th over.

Marco Jansen then allowed only seven runs in the penultimate over to leave England needing 14 runs off the final over, in which Anrich Nortje (1/35) did well to remove Brooks and seal Proteas’ win.

Brook and Livingstone came together in the 11th over with England needing 103 to win from 58 balls. They added 78 from 42 but it was not enough as England paid a heavy price for being meek in the beginning.

Reeza Hendricks deserved all credits for pulling a catch out of thin air, putting a stunning effort at extra cover while diving to his left after Phil Salt (11) hit one hard against Rabada in the second over.

With Salt was dismissed early, England were neither quick off the blocks nor did they change approach to counter South African tactics.

Jonny Bairstow (17) failed to make the most of a lifeline given to him when Heinrich Klaasen dropped a regulation catch running in from backward square leg off Rabada in the third over.

However, with South African bowlers keeping it tight another chance came their way when Keshav Maharaj lured Bairstow to slash one wide of the off-stump and the batter obliged by hitting in the air. Nortje grabbed the chance.

The wily Maharaj then foxed England skipper Jos Buttler by taking the pace off a delivery which he hit straight to deep midwicket, where Klaasen did not make any mistake.

Moeen Ali (9) was bounced out by Baartman with Maharaj taking the catch as England skidded to 61 for four around the halfway mark.

Earlier, South Africa squandered a blistering start by Quinton de Kock (65) as England managed to keep the Proteas to a low total.

With De Kock (68, 4×4, 4×6) going hammer and tongs to take the scoring rate to nearly 10 an over for most of their first half, England fought back hard with regular wickets courtesy excellent fielding which remained the highlight of their effort.

Apart from De Kock’s fireworks, David Miller’s late resistance, 43 off 28 balls (4×4, 2×6), saved SA the blushes.

From 86 for no loss at one stage, South Africa had slipped to 113 for four by the 15th over, losing the momentum.

Amid the steady fall of wickets at one end, Miller held his ground and his late charge helped South Africa go past the 150-mark.

USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Streaming: USA’s dream run at the 2024 T20 World Cup continues into the Super 8, where they’ll first face South Africa, who won every single game in Group D. However, as the tournament shifts to the West Indies completely, the USA won’t feel home support and home conditions anymore. No South African apart from David Miller is yet to score more than 80 runs in the tournament, but their poor batting will be put to the test against the fire and confidence oozed by Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan at the moment.

When will the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Wednesday, June 19 (IST).

Where will the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.

What time will the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 8:00 PM IST. The toss will take place at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The USA vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney Plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)