Rohit Sharma on Rishabh Pant’s ‘pretend damage’ during T20 World Cup last: ‘Genuinely thought something had happened to him’ | Cricket News

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant (Agency Photos)

June 29, 2024, will endlessly be remembered because the day India ended a 11-year look ahead to an ICC title, successful the T20 World Cup in a nerve-wracking last towards South Africa in Barbados. Under Rohit Sharma’s management, India clinched the crown with a slender seven-run win, sealing an evening of excessive drama and nationwide celebration.One of the most-discussed moments from that epic last got here during South Africa’s tense chase. With 30 runs wanted off 30 balls, Rishabh Pant immediately went down, signalling discomfort in his knee. Play stopped. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!At the time, it seemed like a regarding damage, particularly given Pant’s restoration from a life-threatening automotive accident in 2022.Now, a yr later, Rohit Sharma has shared recent perception into that second, admitting he initially feared the worst. “See, Hardik has come to bowl there. So, we were discussing with Hardik what to do. I didn’t know what had happened before. I genuinely thought that something had happened to him. The accident he had, I thought he was just trying to. But actually, it was just to stop the game a little bit. The momentum was with them. So, it was very important to break that. So, I think we went back to that. Eventually, Hardik dismissed Klaasen,” Rohit instructed Star Sports.

Speaking earlier on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Rohit had revealed how Pant’s presence of thoughts helped India regroup: “When South Africa needed 30 runs off 30 balls, just before that, there was a small break. 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 the game was fast-paced, and at that moment, all a batter wants is the ball to be bowled quickly.

“But 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. Klassen was waiting for the match to start again. I am not saying it’s the only reason, but it could be one of them – Pant Sahab used his smarts and things worked out in our favour.”India’s eventual win not only ended years of ICC heartbreak but also served as an emotional farewell for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and coach Rahul Dravid. One year on, Pant’s “injury” remains one of the most iconic—and debated—turning points of that unforgettable night.