"Wanted this really bad" - 'Proud' Rohit Sharma praises Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya after T20 World Cup triumph

The summit clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 saw the high-profile battle between the Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team and Aiden Markram-led South Africa National Cricket Team on Saturday, June 29, at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. This was the first instance of two unbeaten teams facing off in a final of the ICC T20 World Cup. 

Winning the toss and batting first in the match, India ended up with a good total of 176/7 on the board. Virat Kohli emerged as the top run-getter for the side as he scored 76 off 59. Axar Patel (47) and Shivam Dube (27) also made good contributions to help their team register a good score.

With the ball, India started off well but at a point, the equation came down to 30 off 30 for the Proteas. It looked like Heinrich Klaasen would seal the win for Proteas but Hardik Pandya got the breakthrough and the momentum shifted towards India as they won the match by 7 runs.

Speaking after the match, India captain Rohit Sharma said that they have put in a lot of hard work in the last few years and they played as a team to finally clinch the trophy. Rohit Sharma said:

"Very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last 3-4 years. To be honest, we worked very hard as individuals and as a team a team, lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here today and win this game. It is not what we did today, it is what we have been doing for the last 3-4 years. That's the the result that has come for us today. 

"We have played lots of high pressure games in the past as well and have been on the wrong side as well. But the guys understand what needs to be done. Today was the perfect example of when the back is against the wall, what is required. We stuck together as a team and the guys, all of us, even when at one point it was looking South Africa's way."

Rohit Sharma further explained how desperate they were to win the ICC trophy after facing back-to-back heartbreaks. Rohit Sharma stated:

"Overall, as a team, as a group on the field, we wanted this really bad. We wanted to win this. To win a tournament like this, a lot goes behind the scenes, a lot of effort, a lot of minds need to come together. I am very proud of this bunch of boys I have and the management as well for giving us that liberty to go and play, to execute, for having that trust in each one of us. That has to start from the management, coach, captain and then the players go out there and do it. Throughout the tournament, I think we were fantastic.

While talking about Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma said that they never doubted the batter despite his lean patch as he has been ruling world cricket for 15 years. Rohit Sharma asserted:

"Not me and nobody was in doubt with Virat's form. We know the quality he has, he's been on top of his game for 15 years, come the occasion the big players will stand up. Virat was holding that one end which was very crucial for us and the others played around him. For us to get to that total, it was a team effort. We wanted someone to bat as long as possible. These are not wickets where you can come and bat freely and keep the scoreboard ticking straightaway, so we do understand that. We wanted somebody to bat as long as possible and Virat did that perfectly. That's where the experience of Virat comes through. The other guys around played really well, Axar's knock of 47 was very crucial as well."

Rohit Sharma also showered massive praise on Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for performing exceptionally well throughout the competition and helping India win the trophy. Rohit Sharma stated:

"(On Bumrah) I can understand you guys trying to put it into words but I've been someone who has seen him for so many years, even playing alongside him, but even I don't what exactly is with him. I know exactly what he brings to the table but how he does that, it is just a masterclass. He backs his skills which is more than enough and he is a very confident lad. Whatever he wants to do, he executes to perfection which is a very rare sight. Jasprit Bumrah, to put it in one word, he's a class act."

"Hardik was brilliant as well, bowling that last over, no matter how many runs is required, to bowl that last over, I am very proud of the boys. Absolutely fantastic, all the way from New York to Barbados, I just want to salute them, to come and support us the way they have and even back home in India, millions are sitting and watching, it's late night in India, I'm pretty sure they are up watching this. They have been waiting a long time, just like us. This is for them. Very very proud of what we have achieved today."

India's Journey In ICC T20 World Cup 2024

In the league stage, the India National Cricket Team were placed along with the Pakistan National Cricket Team, the USA National Cricket Team, Canada National Cricket Team, and Ireland National Cricket Team in Group A.

The Men In Blue, as expected, played brilliant cricket and finished the group stage unbeaten, although not with a full eight points. 

On June 5, Rohit Sharma's men defeated Ireland in their first match comprehensively by 8 wickets and 46 balls remaining with Jasprit Bumrah winning the Player of the Match award for his figures of 2/6. The second match turned out to be a tense one for the Indian team as they played a low-scoring thriller against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9. They snatched the victory from jaws of defeat against Babar Azam's team and won by 6 runs with Bumrah bagging his second consecutive Player of the Match award for his figures of 3/14.

India next faced the USA and as expected won the match comfortably by 7 wickets and 10 balls remaining on June 12. It was Arshdeep Singh, who won the Player of the Match award against the USA for his spell of 4/9. Rohit Sharma's team were set to play their last group stage match against Canada but the game was abandoned due to rain and India finished with 7 points and a good Net Run Rate of 1.137.

As India entered the Super 8 stage, they continued their dominant run and beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia to register a hat-trick of wins and book a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The Men In Blue beat the Afghans by 47 runs, the Bangla Tigers by 50 runs and the Aussies by 24 runs.

Next, the Indian team played the semi-final against England like champions as they first posted 171/7 on the board, thanks to Rohit Sharma (57) and Suryakumar Yadav (47). And then with the ball, Axar Patel (3), Kuldeep Yadav (3) and Jasprit Bumrah (2) combined to destroy England and bundle them out for 103 to help India win by 68 runs.