After much speculation, prominent Indian batsman and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has finally responded to the issue surrounding his ‘fabricated injury’ sustained against South Africa in the Barbados final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Pant revealed the tactical reasoning that enabled India to win their second T20 World Cup following a thrilling finale.
India was under tremendous strain as South Africa, chasing a target of 177, picked up pace in the middle overs. The game appeared to be slipping away from the Men in Blue, with the Proteas needing just 26 runs from 24 balls and Heinrich Klaasen, their star batsman, at the crease.
Rishabh Pant attempted to turn the tide of the battle in India’s favor at this time by slowing it down.
Pant disclosed that he faked a knee injury on purpose in order to slow down the game’s tempo and call for the team physiotherapist.
“I was considering this. Because all of a sudden the momentum changed. In two or three overs, a lot of runs were scored. When will the time come for you to play in the World Cup final, I wondered. I told the physiotherapist to take his time and to keep wasting his time. He inquired about my well-being. Telling him I’m acting, I said. I’m not suggesting that it works every time in a match circumstance like this, but it does work occasionally. Pant stated in a Star Sport “Star Nahi Far” interview that “if it works in such a moment, you want nothing else.”
Watch the video below:
Rishabh Pant on his fake injury in the World Cup Final
What a day! Also got a group photo with Rishabh Pant where I’m standing right next to him
. pic.twitter.com/nrLG5o5xba
— Naman
(@Mr_unknown23_) October 11, 2024
The interruption in the performance disrupted the rhythm of South Africa, specifically impacting the focus of the informed Klaasen. As soon as play resumed, Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen, who had amassed 52 runs off of just 27 balls. With this wicket, India’s fortunes were reversed.
Pant has, nevertheless, played a crucial role in India’s championship win. He contributed significantly to the competition, amassing 171 runs with a strike rate of 127.61 in eight innings.
For the southpaw, who returned to international cricket after a terrible accident in 2022, this T20 World Cup was especially meaningful. His entire performance proved to be crucial to the team’s victory even though he was benched for a duck in the championship.
Also Read: ‘Interview chhod ke bhaag gaya’- Axar Patel shares a funny incident involving Mohammed Siraj from T20 World Cup 2024
Pant, meanwhile, is getting ready for a jam-packed Test schedule. He was involved in India’s recent 2-0 triumph in the Test series against Bangladesh and will be involved in the next three matches against New Zealand.
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