"Tough to explain in words" - Kuldeep Yadav recalls 'unreal experience' of winning T20 World Cup 2024

India wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has shared his thoughts on the Rohit Sharma-led team's victory against South Africa in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. Kuldeep Yadav said that winning the World Cup ‘could take a lifetime for some people’, describing the ICC triumph as an unreal experience.

Team India secured their second T20 World Cup title with a seven-run win over South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados on June 29. The Indian bowlers defended their total despite South Africa being in a strong position at one stage. This was India's first T20 World Cup win since their win in the inaugural edition.

It Has Been An Unreal Experience - Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav expressed delight at India's T20 World Cup triumph during a felicitation event in Kanpur. The left-arm wrist spinner hoped that the Indian team would continue to achieve success in the upcoming ICC tournaments.

“It has been an unreal experience for me, and I hope I keep experiencing such things henceforth. This experience is something that could take a lifetime for some people. Thus, I want the team to fare the same way in the next ICC tournament (Champions Trophy) and play its best cricket,” Kuldeep said during a felicitation function in Kanpur as quoted by PTI.

"Feeling extremely happy as a player because it's the eighth year of my Team India career, and I had the good fortune of lifting an ICC trophy. It's tough to explain in words about our experience in the last week," he added.

Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory. He took 10 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 6.95. He picked up three wickets for 19 runs against England in the semi-final. Arshdeep Singh (17), Jasprit Bumrah (15), and Hardik Pandya (11) took more wickets than Kuldeep for India.

Result That We Have Achieved Today - Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav emphasized how the unity within the squad, along with the support from the nation, teammates, and support staff, contributed significantly to their success in the recent ICC tournament.

"The team's bonding and support for each other throughout the tournament and how we have been playing for the last three to four years -- it is the result that we have achieved today. The whole nation, along with our teammates and the support staff are extremely happy, and so am I," Kuldeep further stated.

The Men in Blue posted a challenging total of 176/7 in the T20 World Cup final match. Virat Kohli scored 76 off 59 balls, while Axar Patel (47 off 31) and Shivam Dube (27 off 16) chipped in with useful contributions. South Africa were in control, needing 30 runs from the last five overs in the final match.

Heinrich Klaasen was dismissed after scoring 52 off 27 balls. The Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah (2-18), Hardik Pandya (3-20), and Arshdeep Singh (2-20) staged a comeback in the final overs. The South African team was restricted to 169/8 in 20 overs. This win ended India's 11-year ICC trophy drought.

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