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'Pant Used His Intelligence...,' Rohit Sharma Reveals India's Strange Tactics To Stump SA In T20 WC Final

Rohit Sharma revealed how Pant used his smartness in T20 WC Final (Source:@GsmsMedia/X.com)Rohit Sharma revealed how Pant used his smartness in T20 WC Final (Source:@GsmsMedia/X.com)

On 29th of June 2024, Rohit Sharma and his boys ended India's 13-year wait of a World Cup trophy by beating South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup at the Kensignton Oval, Barbados. It was a roller-coaster of a game and at one point in time, with Heinrich Klaasena and David Miller going strong with Proteas needing just a run-a-ball in their run chase of 177, it looked like they will lift their first World Cup title.

However, India came back strongly after that with crucial wickets. Suryakumar Yadav grabbed a stunning catch near the boundary line and India eventually won the game by seven runs. All these moments are etched in cricket fans' memory but Rohit Sharma recently came up with an interesting story from the final moments of the game that has grabbed attention of everyone. 

South Africa Lose Rhythm Because Of Pant's Tactics

In a Netflix show named 'The Great Indian Kapil Show', Rohit Sharma revealed that when South Africa needed 30 off 30 balls, Rishabh Pant very cleverly slowed the pace of the game by getting his knee taped. It broke the rhythm of the batters, and according to Rohit, it helped India get back in the game. Before that event, South Africa were cruising towards the target, and India needed to do something out of the blue, and Pant's tactics worked wonders.

"When South Africa needed 30 runs off 30 balls, just before that, there was a small break. Pant used his intelligence to pause the game - he had a knee injury, so he had his knee taped, which helped slow down the game - because the game was fast-paced, and at that moment, all a batter wants is the ball to be bowled quickly. But we had to break the rhythm. As I was setting the field and talking to bowlers, suddenly I saw Pant fall on the ground. The physiotherapist had arrived and was taping his knee. Klassen was waiting for the match to start again. I am not saying it's the only reason, but it could be one of them - Pant Sahab used his smarts and things worked out in our favour." 

Indian Players Sledged South Africans In The Final Of T20 World Cup 2024

The Indian skipper added that Hardik Pandya dismissed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen in the following over and then Indian players made sure that South African batters feel the heat by sledging them.

"That is what happened. Hardik dismissed Klaasen in that over, and from then onwards, pressure started to build on South Africa. Then all the boys gathered and started to sledge their batters, details of which I can't disclose here, but it was essential because we had to win at any cost. To win that, we were willing to take a few fines. That is why I told the boys to say whatever they felt like; we would handle the umpires and referees later."

It was India's second T20 World Cup title after MS Dhoni and his boys lifted the trophy in the inaugural 2007 edition. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from the format after the win and now Suryakumar Yadav who grabbed a famous catch of Miller in the final over is leading the Indian T20I side.