On this day last year, June 29th, 2024 – India clinched the ICC T20 World Cup trophy in a thrilling final against South Africa in Barbados. It was a night filled with high drama, nerves, and unforgettable moments as Rohit Sharma led the Men in Blue to a long-awaited ICC title. Among the many turning points in that nail-biting contest, one incident involving Rishabh Pant stood out for its unexpected brilliance.
Klaasen’s Onslaught and a Game-Changing Pause
With just five overs to go, South Africa looked well on course to spoil India’s party. Heinrich Klaasen had just unleashed a brutal assault on Axar Patel in the 15th over, hammering 24 runs and bringing the equation down to a very manageable 30 needed from 30 balls. With both Klaasen and David Miller set at the crease, the momentum had firmly swung in the Proteas’ favour.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a tight 16th over, but the scoreboard pressure was easing for South Africa. India needed something to break the rhythm. That’s when Rishabh Pant pulled a move few saw coming: he faked an injury.
Pant, whose return to international cricket had been an emotional journey following a serious car accident, called for medical attention mid-innings. Given his injury history, it didn’t raise many eyebrows at the time. But as it turned out, it was a calculated tactic to disrupt South Africa’s flow a fact Pant revealed only after India had clinched the win.
Rohit Sharma Was Fooled Too
Even skipper Rohit Sharma didn’t realise what was going on at the time. Speaking on the first anniversary of the win during a Star Sports interview, as cited by Hindustan Times, Rohit reflected on the moment with amusement and admiration.
“At that point, Hardik (Pandya) was preparing to bowl the next over, so I was talking to him about the plan. Suddenly I saw Pant calling for the physio, and I genuinely thought something was wrong. Considering what he’d been through with the accident, I feared the worst,” Rohit recalled.
But soon after, the reality became clear. “It was just a clever way to break the momentum. The game was slipping, and that small pause helped us reset. Next over, Hardik got Klaasen out and that changed everything.”
One of the Smartest Moves of the Match
Hardik Pandya removing Klaasen in the 17th over was a pivotal moment. It halted South Africa’s charge and brought India right back into the contest. What looked like a minor delay in play turned out to be a decisive psychological play, orchestrated by Pant in a high-pressure moment.
In a match filled with drama and tension, Rishabh Pant’s quick thinking will be remembered as one of the most crucial and clever acts. It wasn’t just skill that won India the final, it was also presence of mind and nerve under fire.
As fans look back on that unforgettable night in Barbados, Pant’s so-called “injury” will go down as one of the more legendary stories from India’s title-winning campaign.
Also Read: ‘I Didn’t Sleep…’ Rohit Sharma Reflects On India’s Emotional Journey To ICC T20 World Cup Glory
