Watch- Kuldeep Yadav asks Rohit Sharma to imitate Lionel Messi's iconic celebration; Indian captain obliges

The India team, led by Rohit Sharma, ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy with a thrilling victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022 final. After securing the T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma celebrated by mimicking football legend Lionel Messi's iconic trophy-lifting celebration from the FIFA World Cup.

The Rohit Sharma-led team secured a seven-wicket victory in a thrilling final match at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. The Men in Blue secured their second T20 World Cup title after the inaugural edition in 2007. Notably, it was India's first ICC trophy win since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

South Africa were in a winning position, needing 30 runs off the last five overs with six wickets in hand. However, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh delivered a brilliant bowling performance. Pandya changed the momentum in India's favor by dismissing Heinrich Klaasen in the 17th over.

Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Marco Jansen in the next over to tighten their grip. Hardik picked up the wicket of David Miller on the first ball of the final over while defending 16 runs. The Proteas failed to reach the target as they managed to score only 22 runs in the final 30 balls, suffering a heartbreaking loss.

Watch - Rohit Sharma Mimicks Lionel Messi's Iconic Trophy-Lifting Celebration

Rohit Sharma made a memorable gesture during the World Cup trophy presentation. Sharma recreated Lionel Messi's iconic celebration from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. BCCI secretary Jay Shah handed the trophy to Rohit, who lifted it like Messi's trophy lift after Argentina's win over France.

The entire team was excited to see their captain and eagerly awaited his trophy lift. Earlier, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav suggested to Rohit to imitate Messi's famous walk during the medal ceremony. Following Yadav's guidance, Rohit mimicked Messi's walk to collect the trophy at the ceremony in Barbados.

Kuldeep and Rohit 😭😂#RohitSharma #T20WorldCup2024pic.twitter.com/ipLkSCzbI4

— ً (@Ro45Goat) June 29, 2024

Even I Don't Want Exactly Is With Him - Rohit Sharma

Speaking after the match, Rohit Sharma praised Jasprit Bumrah's bowling prowess. Sharma highlighted Bumrah's confidence, and execution, and described him as a class act. Rohit also commended Hardik Pandya for his excellent performance, especially his crucial last-over bowling. He expressed pride in the team's efforts.

"(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," Rohit said.

"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," he added.

Also read: Watch- Hardik Pandya gives an emotional tribute to Rahul Dravid in the latter's final match as the Indian Head Coach