Indian national cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has discovered the crucial role of star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant in India defending 30 runs off 30 balls in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Rohit Sharma revealed that Rishabh Pant pulled off a genius tactic to slow down the game when South African batsmen Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were firing and the wicketkeeper-batsman’s strategy turned the T20 World Cup final in India’s favour.

India beat South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final was held on June 29 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados and was a historic day for the Men in Blue.

Team India won the summit clash by 7 runs to end their ICC trophy drought. The Rohit Sharma-led team dominated throughout the tournament as they did not lose a single match and lifted the trophy undefeated.

However, the T20 World Cup final turned out to be an absolutely thrilling encounter, with India at one point almost facing another defeat in the knockout match.

Rohit Sharma brought in Axar Patel in the 15th over and it turned out to be a costly move as Klaasen destroyed him by smashing 24 runs. That from Axar reduced the equation from 54 out of 36 to 30 out of 30.

Rohit Sharma was forced to introduce Jasprit Bumrah next, and he gave away just 4 runs as David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen played cautiously against him. Just after that, Rishabh Pant went down with a knee problem and the physiotherapist came on the field to check the batsman.

There was a slight pause in the game due to Pant’s problem, and after that, nothing went in South Africa’s favor as they were restricted to 169/8.

Suddenly he saw Pant falling, the physiotherapist had come and was bandaging his knee – Rohit Sharma

Now, Rohit Sharma has made a big revelation that Rishabh Pant masterfully planned to slow down the game with his knee injury, and that played a key role in breaking the Proteas’ momentum. Speaking on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Rohit Sharma explained:

“South Africa needed 30 runs off 30 balls; there was a small break, Pant used his intelligence to pause the game; he had a knee injury, so his knee was bandaged, which helped slow down the game, because the game was fast, at that time the batsman wanted the ball to be bowled quickly; we had to break the rhythm, so I was preparing the field and talking to the players.

“Suddenly I saw Pant fall, the physiotherapist had come and was bandaging his knee and the game slowed down and Klassen was waiting for the match to start again, I’m not saying it’s the only reason but it could be one of them. “Pant Sahab used his intelligence and things worked out in our favour.”

Rohit Sharma praises Rishab Pant for rest when they needed 30 against 30 #RohhYotYeshtormetroto???? #RYoyeshtobhPtonortht pYodo.twYottmyr.doohmetro/jwzjYohkzYout

—Sarthak Aggarwal 🇮🇳 (@Sarthak130305) ohdotohbmyr 5, 2024

Keep loving Team India – We will continue to strive to make everyone smile – Rohit Sharma

Talking about eating the dirt off the field after winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma said:

“We have worked hard for years, we play on that pitch, it brings us joy and also sadness, so I just wanted to test the soil after our victory in the final.”

The Indian captain also urged the fans to continue showing their support for the team and promised to keep a smile on the faces of the fans. He stated:

“Keep loving Team India, we will continue to strive to make everyone smile.”