India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma has opened up about the tense moments during the 2024 final against South Africa, revealing that he was “panicking” and “not comfortable” after India’s top-order collapse early in the innings. Speaking in a candid interview with JioHotstar, Rohit reflected on the emotional rollercoaster that unfolded at Kensington Oval, Barbados.
“We Let Them Into the Game”: Rohit on Early Collapse
India, after electing to bat, were cruising at 23/0 before losing three wickets for just 11 runs, including Rohit himself for 9.
“I was panicking. I wasn’t comfortable. I thought we’d let them into the game,” Rohit admitted.
Despite the shaky start, Rohit said he had faith in the lower middle order, which had shown glimpses of impact throughout the tournament.
Axar & Kohli: The Game-Changers
Rohit credited Axar Patel’s 47 off 31 balls as the turning point, calling it an “underrated but vital” knock. Axar’s 72-run partnership with Virat Kohli, who anchored the innings with a match-winning 76 off 59, helped India post a competitive 176/7.
“Not many people are talking about Axar’s knock, but it was the game-changer,” Rohit emphasized.
Kohli’s Calm Amid Chaos
Rohit also praised Kohli’s ability to stay composed despite a poor run in the tournament leading up to the final.
“If you hit three boundaries in the first over, then you’ve started well… He played a brilliant innings,” Rohit said, highlighting Kohli’s mental strength.
India’s Bowling Holds Nerve
India’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs, restricting South Africa to 169/8, sealing a 7-run win and clinching their second T20 World Cup title. The victory was followed by emotional scenes as both Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from T20Is.
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