"We were willing to take a few fines” - Rohit Sharma recalls how desperate India sledged South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final
Former Team India T20I captain Rohit Sharma opened up about what transpired towards the end of the 2024 T20 World Cup summit clash between India and South Africa on The Great Indian Kapil Show. The show was aired on Netflix on Saturday, October 5, with clips of Rohit doing the rounds on the internet.
With Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller at the crease, Rohit Sharma decided to bowl Axar Patel, with the spinner being carted for 24 runs in the over. The equation was down to 30 runs needed off 30 balls and Hardik Pandya struck after a short break in place, dismissing Klaasen off the first ball of the 16th over.
Rohit explained the conversations that unfolded within the unit after that breakthrough. He said:
"Hardik dismissed Klaasen in that over, and from then onwards, pressure started to build on South Africa. Then all the boys gathered and started to sledge their batters, details of which I can’t disclose here, but it was essential because we had to win at any cost."
Adding to that, he said:
"To win that (the T20 World Cup), we were willing to take a few fines. That is why I told the boys to say whatever they felt like; we would handle the umpires and referees later."
India went on to win the match by seven runs and won the T20 World Cup for the second time. They won the first edition held in 2007 and now are the joint-most successful team in the competitions history with England and West Indies, having two titles each.
"Rishabh Pant used his intelligence to pause the game" - Rohit Sharma opens up on Rishabh Pant's tactics in the game
Rohit Sharma also made a special mention of Rishabh Pant and how his tactical pause before the 17th over led to the fall of wickets later in the game. The 37-year-old added:
"When South Africa needed 30 runs off 30 balls, just before that, there was a small break. It was here that Pant used his intelligence to pause the game. He had a knee injury, so he had his knee taped, which helped slow down the game because it was proceeding by quickly and at that moment, all a batter wants is the ball to be bowled quickly."
Adding to that, he said:
"We had to break the rhythm. As I was setting the field and talking to bowlers, suddenly I saw Pant fallen on the ground. The physiotherapist had arrived and was taping his knee. Klaasen was waiting for the match to start again. I am not saying it’s the only reason (he did so), but it could be one of them – Pant Sahab used his wits and things worked out in our favor."
Rohit, along with Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav and Arshdeep Singh, were invited to the show and honored for their efforts which helped India win the Men's T20 World Cup. Previously, Sharma and Shreyas Iyer featured in the first season of the show.