Team India captain Rohit Sharma has talked about the strategic move by keeper-batter Rishabh Pant at a crucial point in the 2024 T20 World
Cup final against South Africa as well. Rohit said that Pant’s presence of mind played a role in breaking the Proteas batters’ rhythm. However, Team India beat South Africa by seven runs in the thrilling finale of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados as well. The Proteas needed only 30 runs off the last five overs when there was a short break during which Pant came into action.

Rohit recalled Pant’s strategic move that impacted the game during his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, along with Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube.

He said (as quoted by India Today), “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. 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.”

“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 [Heinrich] 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,” he concluded.