Rishabh Pant opens up on 'injury break' in T20 World Cup final, claims he was 'just acting'

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant opened up on the supporting role that he had played in India's triumph over South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, saying that taking an injury break at a crucial moment in the chase helped break the Proteas’ momentum.

South Africa were going hammer-and-tongs in their chase of the 177-run target set by India thanks primarily to Heinrich Klaasen’s blazing half-century, and were left needing 30 runs off as many deliveries. That’s when Pant called for the physio holding his knee, appearing to be suffering from a sudden injury.

Klaasen, who was anxious for play to resume as quickly as possible, was dismissed by all-rounder Hardik Pandya shortly after Pant’s injury break, which proved to be a turning point in the game.

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“I was thinking about this. Because suddenly the momentum shifted. There were a lot of runs in 2-3 overs. So, I was thinking, when will this moment come again when you are playing in a World Cup final. So, I was telling the physio, that you take your time, keep wasting the time,” Pant said at an event organised by Star Sports.

“He was asking me if I was okay. I told him I’m just acting. Sometimes in such a match situation, I am not saying that it works every time, But sometimes it works. And if it works in such a moment, you want nothing else,” the Delhi Capitals captain added.

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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

Pant’s timely injury break would help turn the tide in India’s favour as Klaasen’s dismissal was followed by some brilliant death bowling by the Indians. Jasprit Bumrah conceded just six runs in two overs while getting rid of Marco Jansen while Arshdeep Singh conceded just four runs in the penultimate over.

Pandya would then bowl a heroic final over, in which he dismissed the explosive David Miller first ball, with Suryakumar Yadav grabbing a stunner at the edge of the straight boundary to dismiss the southpaw.

Read | David Miller on his dismissal in T20 World Cup final: 'Felt like I let the country down'

India skipper Rohit Sharma had confirmed the incident during his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show along with Suryakumar Yadav and other teammates recently.

“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 fall 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,” Rohit told Kapil Sharma.