Rohit Sharma reveals Rishabh Pant’s secret role in defending 30 runs in T20 World Cup final

India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma has uncovered the crucial role of the 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 batters Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were going all guns blazing and the strategy of the wicketkeeper-batsman turned the T20 World Cup final in India's favour.

India Hammered South Africa In T20 World Cup 2024 Final

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 final was held on June 29 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados and it 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 side were dominant throughout the tournament as they didn't lose a single game and lifted the trophy unbeaten.

However, the T20 World Cup final turned out to be an absolutely nail-biting encounter, and India, at a stage, were on the verge of facing yet another defeat in the knockout match.

Rohit Sharma brought in Axar Patel in the 15th over and it proved to be a costly move as Klaasen destroyed him by smashing 24 runs. That over from Axar brought down the equation from 54 off 36 to 30 off 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 over, Rishabh Pant was down with a knee niggle, and the physio came on the field to check on the batter.

There was a small break in the game due to Pant's niggle, and after that, nothing went in South Africa's favor as they got restricted to 169/8.

Suddenly saw Pant fallen, Physiotherapist had arrived and was taping his knee - Rohit Sharma

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

"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 he had his knee taped which helped slow down the game - because game was fast-paced, at that moment the batter want the ball to bowled quickly - we had to break the rhythm, so I was setting the field & talking to bowlers.

"Suddenly saw Pant fallen, Physiotherapist had arrived and was taping his knee & game slowed down and Klassen was waiting for the match to start again, I am not saying it's only reason but it could be one of them - Pant sahab used his smarts & things worked out in our favour."

Rohit Sharma praising Rishab Pant for the break when they needed 30 on 30 #RohitSharma???? #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/JwZjihkzUT

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

Keep loving Team India - we will continue to strive to make everyone smile - Rohit Sharma

Talking about eating the soil off the pitch after winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma said:

"We had worked hard for years, we play on that pitch, brings us joy & brings us sorrow as well - so I just wanted to taste the soil after our victory in the finals".

The Indian captain also urged the fans to continue showing their support to 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".