Rohit Sharma has revealed a clever tactic used by Rishabh Pant during the 2024 T20 World Cup final, which played a crucial role in India’s triumph in June.
India had posted 176-7 in the final in Barbados as they aimed to break a decade-long ICC trophy drought. South Africa were reduced to 12-2 in reply, but they bounced back and were 151-4 after 16 overs, needing 26 more.
Before the start of the 17th over, India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was seen down on the ground, getting his knee taped from the physio. After a slight delay, play resumed again and India tasted success on the very first ball. Hardik Pandya dismissed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen for a 27-ball 52, helping the team make a comeback in the game.
South Africa eventually lost by seven runs.
India skipper Rohit has now revealed the knee niggle Pant had was a ploy used by the wicketkeeper to slow down the game and break the momentum of the batting side.
Speaking on Netflix’s show ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, Rohit, who was joined by teammates Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh, relived a particular incident from the dying stages of the chase.
“They had a lot of wickets left and set batters were on the group. We were feeling the tension, we were scared as well, but a captain needs to have a strong face at that moment," Rohit said.
“No one knows this but when 30 were needed in 30 [26 in 24], there was a small break. Rishabh Pant used his brains and stopped the game, saying he has a niggle in his knee and started taping it.”
He continued: “At that moment, the batter wants the ball to be bowled quickly because he is in flow. We needed to break the rhythm. I was setting the field, talking to the bowler and then I saw Pant on the ground, the physio was there and Klaasen was waiting for resumption. I’m not saying that was the reason for the win, but it could be.
"Pant used his brains and we won.”
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