Indian skipper Rohit Sharma recently shared gripping details from the final overs of India’s victory over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Speaking on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Rohit reflected on the intense pressure the team faced when South Africa needed 30 runs from 30 balls with set batters Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller at the crease.
He explained how crucial it was for him, as captain, to stay composed despite the tension, saying, “We were all tense, freaking out, but a captain has to show a strong front for the whole team.”
One of the key moments in the game came when Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper, intelligently caused a slight break in play by getting his knee taped, disrupting the momentum of the South African batters.
Rohit acknowledged that while it wasn’t the sole reason for the shift, it played a significant part in breaking their rhythm. Shortly after, Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen, swinging the game back in India’s favor. Rohit also mentioned how the team embraced the pressure, even using sledging as a tactic to unsettle the opposition, highlighting the intensity of the match.
India eventually won by seven runs, marking their first ICC trophy in 11 years. Rohit himself had a standout tournament, amassing 257 runs with three half-centuries. This victory was especially meaningful for the team and the nation, bringing an end to a long ICC title drought.
