Shamsi Jokes About Controversial World Cup Catch, Sparks Debate
South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has sparked a debate on social media after jokingly suggesting that a controversial catch in the 2024 T20 World Cup final could have been ruled not out if an unconventional method of measurement had been used.
In a playful post on X (formerly Twitter), Shamsi shared a video from a local village game where a rope was used to determine whether a catch was legitimate. He quipped that if this method had been employed in the World Cup final, Suryakumar Yadav’s decisive catch might have been deemed not out.
Shamsi’s comment stemmed from the final over of the T20 World Cup, where South Africa needed 16 runs off the last six balls. David Miller’s powerful shot off a Hardik Pandya full-toss was caught by Yadav near the boundary cushion.
Yadav, in a remarkable display of fielding brilliance, caught the ball, threw it in the air as he crossed the boundary line, and then quickly re-entered the field to complete the catch. This play proved pivotal in India’s World Cup triumph and has since become a highlight of the tournament.
However, Shamsi’s joke drew mixed reactions on social media. Some users criticized him for downplaying the significance of Yadav’s catch, while others defended his playful intent.
In response to the backlash, Shamsi posted a clarification on X, stating, “In case some people don’t understand that it’s meant to be a joke and no one is crying… let me explain it to you like a 4-year-old child. It’s A Joke.”
Despite the controversy, Yadav’s catch remains a celebrated moment for Indian fans, encapsulating a key highlight of their victorious campaign. The debate over the catch, including suggestions that the boundary cushion may have been intentionally moved, only added to the high-octane drama of the World Cup final.
