‘I can’t climb this mountain alone’. These were the exact words uttered by skipper Rohit Sharma in the huddle ahead of the high-octane T20 World Cup final. Few hours later, the team created history by lifting the trophy for the 2nd time, the first ICC cup that India had grasped after 11 years. Ace India batter Suryakumar Yadav spilled the beans on the team’s intent and motto throughout the tournament in an interview with the Indian Express.
What were Rohit Sharma’s words before the T20 WC final?
“Before the final, he told us to keep it simple but said, ‘I can’t climb this mountain alone. If I have to reach the peak, I will need everyone’s oxygen’. He also said, ‘Joh bhi hai, paon mein, dimag mein, dil mein (Whatever you have in your legs, mind and heart), just bring everything to the game. If that happens, we will not regret the night’. We all were moved,” Suryakumar Yadav said.
On farewell to coach Rahul Dravid
“Indranagar ke wall ko koi kabhi chhupa nahi sakta hai,” Surya remarked when asked about India head coach Rahul Dravid. SKY claimed that Dravid never imposed his experience on any player, adding that he created a ‘Wall’ to protect the team from the expectations of people and pressure. He added that Virat Kohli too echoed similar views on the veteran’s style of coaching. Further, SKY said that the 30-second clip of a child-like Dravid jumping in joy with the trophy in his hands would be a video clip he would save for his lifetime.
Surya’s catch that won the match
SKY was not out of the spotlight in the final against South Africa after taking a match-winning catch at the boundary ropes. He admits that he has been practicing taking such catches at various other venues. The star further reveals that fielding coach T Dilip wanted Jadeja, Kohli and SKY to field at ‘hotspots’ where jaw-dropping catches were awaited.
When asked about his fitness, Surya stated that he was following his diet plan rigourusly, going to the extent of having his meals for the next week already planned. Surya recalled the time when he was out with injury and had gained weight after getting latched on to some of the local food.
