'Hardik Pandya is my man': Rohit Sharma opens up on kissing all-rounder after T20 WC win

Team India ODI skipper Rohit Sharma has shared an emotional moment from the final against South Africa during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. Sharma also admitted that without Hardik Pandya’s performance in the final moments, India might have walked away empty-handed.

Following a poor IPL 2024 season with the Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya delivered an all-round performance during the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. With the bat, he scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57. He also took 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.64.

Hardik Pandya Did the Job for Me and the Team - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma spoke about Hardik Pandya’s crucial role in the victory over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. He said it was an emotional moment when he kissed the all-rounder after the win and called Hardik Pandya "my man."

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

"This was an emotional moment. Hardik is my man, he did the job for me and the team otherwise we would've been sitting without anything in our hands," Rohit said on '𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐞,' a show on Star Sports.

Rohit Sharma said, "this was an emotional moment. Hardik is my man, he did the job for me and the team otherwise we would've been sitting without anything in our hands". (JioHotstar). pic.twitter.com/L2XEZ7Dgb0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 26, 2025

Hardik Pandya dismissed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen at a critical stage of the final. He then removed David Miller with the very first delivery of the final over. Hardik finished with impressive figures of 3 for 20, helping India secure a thrilling seven-run victory.

It Meant So Much to All of Us - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma called the T20 World Cup win a special moment for the entire squad. He stated that the team went through months of meticulous planning, relentless effort, and collective focus on winning the title. He added that the players had put in immense work and made significant sacrifices.

"It meant so much to all of us, to that group. We'd experienced the heartbreak of coming so close and falling short. That's why it was special. We planned meticulously. We worked hard every single day, constantly thinking about how to win the World Cup. That's why every player's emotions came pouring out on that day."

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Announced T20I Retirements After the World Cup Final

India chose to bat first after winning the toss in front of a packed crowd in Barbados. They got off to a quick start with 23 runs in just 1.3 overs, but collapsed to 34/3 as Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav fell in quick succession.

Axar Patel, who was promoted to No. 5, played a crucial knock of 47 off 31 balls. He added a 72-run partnership with Virat Kohli to steady the innings. Kohli, who had struggled throughout the tournament, delivered a match-winning performance with 76 off 59 deliveries.

India posted a total of 176/7 in 20 overs. The bowlers held their nerve to restrict South Africa to 169/8, sealing a thrilling seven-run victory. Kohli was named Player of the Match. Following the triumph, both Kohli and Rohit announced their retirements from T20 internationals.

Also read: Raj Kundra accused of blackmail by Rajasthan Royals majority owner Manoj Badale after IPL 2025