The memory of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy, preceeded by a nail-biting final against South Africa, is still fresh on the mind of Rohit Sharma. The Indian captain vividly recalled instances from the match which were the turning points for the Men in Blue who went to lift their 2nd title. There was one point in the game when it felt like the game was slipping out of India’s hands. But, thanks to Rishabh Pant, they found a solution and it worked wonders.
How Rishabh Pant helped break SA’s momentum in T20 WC final
Rohit Sharma recalled the instance from on the field when South Africa needed 30 runs in as many deliveries with plenty of wickets left it hand. The Hitman, speaking on The Great Indian Kapil Show, admitted that the team was freaking out at that point of time but had to put on a brave face to put up a fight. He then revealed how Rishabh Pant ‘used his intelligence’ to halt the momentum of South Africa batters and turned the game around for India instantly.
“They had wickets in plenty and batter was settled on the field. We all were tensed. We were freaking out. s had to take a wicket at any cost since Klaasen and Miller were playing. No one knows this, but before those 30 runs in 30 balls, Rishabh Pant used his intelligence to cause a break. He got some taping done on his knee and slowed down the game. At that time, the batter wants the balls to be bowled quickly and we had to break that rhythm. I was setting the field and talking to bowlers and I saw Pant had fallen. Physio was taping him and Klaasen was waiting for the game to start. I am not saying this could be the reason entirely but surely one of them,” Rohit Sharma revealed.
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Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were the heroes as India broke the jinx to lift T20 World Cup title with a 7-run win over South Africa in the final. Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton De Kock almost took South Africa through but Hardik-Bumrah combined to restrict Proteas to 169/8 in a 177-run chase. Virat Kohli scored 59-ball 76 after India went down to 34/3 in the powerplay. With Axar Patel (47 off 31), Kohli added 72 runs. With Axar falling for 41, Kohli added half-century stand with Dube.
