India’s star cricketer, Rishabh Pant, has revealed a key strategy that helped India secure their second ICC T20 World Cup title. According to Pant, a clever plan of slowing down the game by “wasting time” proved to be instrumental in breaking South Africa’s momentum during the intense final match at Barbados.
In a crucial moment of the game, South Africa needed just 30 runs from 30 balls, and Heinrich Klaasen was steering them toward victory. That’s when Pant initiated his “time-wasting” strategy, which he now credits as a turning point for India’s victory.
RISHABH PANT – THE MOMENTUM BREAKER…!!! 😄👌
Pant narrated the story behind his injury during the T20 World Cup final when SA needed 26 from 24. [Star Sports] pic.twitter.com/7AeyHAnzdF
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 12, 2024
“I was thinking about how the momentum had suddenly shifted in their favor. I knew it was now or never, and I told the physio to take his time and keep wasting time,” Pant said, describing how this tactic slowed down the pace of the game. The moment came when Axar Patel had just been hit hard by the South African batsmen, and the pressure was on India.
Pant pretended to be injured, lying down on the field, while the physio taped his knee—slowing down the game. He admitted it was all an act, aimed at disrupting South Africa’s rhythm. “The physio asked if I was okay, and I told him I was just acting. Sometimes these tactics work in critical moments,” Pant explained.
This tactic shifted the game’s momentum back in India’s favor, and soon South Africa began to lose wickets. Pant’s move proved to be a game-changer, as it broke the Proteas’ rhythm and ultimately helped India pull off a stunning comeback to lift the ICC T20 World Cup trophy.
Pant’s strategic thinking, combined with Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant catch, was critical in India’s victory, marking a historic moment for the team as they claimed their second T20 World Cup title.