Cricket fans all throughout the world were enthralled by Suryakumar Ashok Yadav’s (SKY) title-winning catch in the T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa in Barbados. It was dubbed a “game-changing moment.” Not an exception was Yadav’s eighty-three-year-old grandpa, Vikram Singh Yadav, from Hathauda in the Ghazipur region of Uttar Pradesh, who describes himself as SKY’s greatest fan.

“I am the biggest fan of Sky.”
“I was completely taken aback. I recall sitting still for a while, as did the other family members, until the third umpire called it out in crystal clear words, at which point we all let out a collective applause.

Being the greatest admirer of Surya, I believe he did an amazing job. Miller’s catch changed the game and opened the door for India’s incredible victory, so Surya should also get credit for that, along with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. SKY’s grandfather, Vikram Singh Yadav, described SKY’s catch as the “game-changing moment” for the match.

THE GORGEOUS CATCH
When Miller slammed the ball over the bowler in the final over, South Africa needed 16 runs to win.

Yadav’s catch resulted in Miller’s dismissal. Suryakumar intervened and grabbed Miller’s shot out of thin air, juggling it up as he crossed the ropes and then managed to hang on to it with his foot millimeters away from the boundary rope. Miller’s shot seemed destined to sail over the ropes.

He said that SKY’s catch is a reflection of his dexterity and awareness. “He is my hero,” SKY’s grandpa said as he and the other Hathauda villagers celebrated India’s triumph.

FELICITIES WERE PRESENT.
While the T20 final took place on Saturday, Hathauda had been preparing for a week.

There was a tangible sense of excitement among the locals as some pulled their TVs into courtyards to watch together while others set up refreshments, firecrackers, and candy. People came to check on Suryakumar and his well-being on a regular basis. Upon India’s victory in the T20 World Cup, the hamlet burst into joy.

In celebration of India’s win, sweets were given out, firecrackers were let off, dhols were played, and cakes were sliced. He said, “The whole town participated in the celebrations, reveling in the historic victory.

He gave Ashok, Surya’s father, a call to congratulate him on Team India’s win. He said, “People are dancing, we’ve cut a cake, and we’re celebrating with the village children,” describing the joyous mood of the community. He expressed his happiness upon learning about the joyous festivities to Ashok.

WHERE IS THE ORIGINAL HOME OF SURYAKUMAR?
One of the all-time best T20 batsman is Suryakumar Ashok Yadav, better known by his initials, SKY.

SKY was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) on September 14, 1990, although his origins are in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Hathauda is his ancestral hamlet; it’s in Saidpur tehsil. While his grandpa, Vikram Yadav, was an inspector with the CRPF, his father, Ashok Kumar Yadav, was an engineer at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Mumbai.

Because of his father’s work, Suryakumar was raised in Bombay. He attended Atomic Energy Central School for his elementary schooling before attending Pillai College of Arts, Commerce, and Science to get a B.Com. His first coach in Varanasi throughout his cricket career was his uncle, Vinod Yadav. He enrolled in a cricket camp run by Ashok Kamat at the age of ten at Mumbai’s BARC neighborhood. Suryakumar played age-group cricket in Mumbai and furthered his abilities at the Elf Vengsarkar Academy, which is headed by former international cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar.

Suryakumar married Devisha Shetty on July 7, 2016, after they first met in 2010 at a college function. Devisha, a talented dancer and dance instructor, adds her own accomplishments to SKY’s successful cricket career.

THE CATCH DISPUTE
On the other hand, slow-motion replays showed movement at the base of the padding, leading some to speculate that the movement originated from a puff of grass. The question of whether Yadav’s left foot hit the boundary rope before he flipped the ball in the air became the subject of intense discussion on social media. According to some supporters, the match may have been in the balance again if a six had been given, as South Africa would have needed 10 runs from the last five deliveries.

“SHOULD SHOW GENUINE SPORTSMANSHIP”
Regarding the controversy surrounding the catch, SKY’s granddad said that third umpires has superior equipment and expertise compared to those making unfounded accusations about SKY’s catch and India’s win. He went on, “I think that instead of making petty accusations, people should show true sportsmanship and accept their defeat gracefully.”