India national cricket team batsman Rishabh Pant has spoken about the smart tactics he applied in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. He revealed that he told the physio to take his time because he wanted to stop the game.
On 29 July, the Indian national cricket team finally ended their ICC title drought by winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The Rohit Sharma-led team defeated the South Africa national cricket team in Barbados to winning the ICC title after 11 years and his second. T20 World Cup after 2007.
Although India played the entire tournament as the champion team, they came under pressure in the final. South Africa, in the middle, completely took the game away from the team led by Rohit Sharma and was on the verge of winning the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Rishabh Pant used his smart tactics and slowed down the game
South Africa needed 26 runs in 24 balls with Heinrich Klaasen having excellent weapons. However, it was at that point that Rishabh Pant used his smart tactics as the momentum was completely in favor of the Aiden Markram-led team. He used his intelligence and stopped the game.
Pant seemed to be suffering from a knee problem and called the physiotherapist to treat him on the field. The wicketkeeper-batsman was left tied at the knees, and the break there did wonders for the Indian national cricket team as it changed the entire aspect of the game.
After the break, Heinrich Klaasen lost concentration when Hardik Pandya removed the keeper batsman on the first ball of the over. The South African player scored 52 off just 27 balls, and after his wicket, the momentum completely came to the Indian side, and they capitalized on it.
I told the physio, take your time – Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant spoke about the injury break he took during the 2024 T20 World Cup final. He admitted that the momentum was not there in the side and he thought that they would never have a moment to win the trophy like this again.
Pant claimed that he told the physiotherapist to take his time and revealed that when he asked him about the injury, the wicketkeeper-batsman told him that he was faking his injury. Speaking during an event, he explained:
“I was thinking about this. Because suddenly the momentum changed. There were a lot of runs in 2-3 overs. So, I was thinking, when will the time come when you play the World Cup final. So, I told the physio, that Take your time, keep wasting time.
“He was asking me if I was okay. I told him I was just acting. Sometimes in a match situation like that, I’m not saying it always works, but sometimes it works. And if it works at that moment, you don’t want anything else.”
Rishabh Pant on his fake injury in the World Cup final 🤣
What a day! I also have a group photo with Rishabh Pant where I am standing next to him 🤩. pYodo.twYottmyr.doohmetro/northrlGRAM5oh5unknownbto
– Naman 🏏 (@Mr_unknown23_) ohdotohbmyr 11, 2024
Rishabh Pant scored 171 runs in eight innings in T20 World Cup 2024
Rishabh Pant played a vital role for India in the T20 World Cup 2024. He scored 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 24.43 and a strike rate of 127.61. The left-hander was sent off for a duck in the final. The tournament also marked his return to international cricket following the accident he faced in 2022.