“We wanted this really bad” – Rohit Sharma after India beat South Africa to clinch 2024 T20 World Cup trophy
India captain Rohit Sharma got emotional after they beat South Africa by seven runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. The 37-year-old credited his team for their hard work behind the scenes as they finally lifted the title under his leadership. With the victory, India also ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought.
Batting first, India put up 176/7 in 20 overs, courtesy of Virat Kohli’s 76 off 59 balls, hitting two sixes and six boundaries. He shared 76 and 57-run partnerships with Axar Patel (47 off 31) and Shivam Dube (27 off 16) for the fourth and fifth wicket, respectively.
In response, the Proteas managed 169/8. Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27), Quinton de Kock (39 off 31) and David Miller (21 off 17) got starts but failed to take SA over the line.
Rohit Sharma said in his post-match comments:
“Very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last 3-4 years. We work very hard as a team, lot has gone on behind the scenes. It is not today, it is what we have been doing for the last 3-4 years. We have played lots of high-pressure games and come on the wrong side too. Overall, as a team, as a group on the field, we wanted this really bad. We wanted to win this.
"I am very proud of this bunch of boys I have and the management as well for giving us that liberty to go and play the to execute. That has to start from the management, coach, captain and then the players go out there and do it. Throughout the tournament, I think we were fantastic," he added.
Rohit lifted his second T20I World Cup trophy, having been in the 2007 World Cup-winning squad.
“Nobody was in doubt with Virat's form” – Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli’s impactful knock in 2024 T20 World Cup final
Rohit Sharma lauded Virat Kohli for delivering the big game for the Men in Blue after managing just 75 runs from his last seven innings in the mega ICC event. He said:
“Nobody was in doubt with Virat's form. We know the quality he has, come the occasion the big players will stand up. Virat was holding that end up for us, we wanted someone to bat as long as possible. This wasn't a wicket where a new guy could come and play straight. That's where the experience of Virat comes through.”
Rohit Sharma also reserved special praise for Jasprit Bumrah, who was economical of the lot among Indian bowlers. He finished with excellent figures of 2/18 in his four overs. He further praised Hardik Pandya (3/20) for defending 15 runs in the last over:
“I've been someone who has seen him play for so many years, but even I don't know how he does it. It is a masterclass. He backs his skills and he is a very confident lad. Hardik was brilliant as well, bowling that last over.”
Click here for the IND vs SA 2024 T20 World Cup final scorecard.