New Delhi: After former India T20 captain Rohit Sharma recently revealed how wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant ‘faked’ an injury to disrupt South Africa’s momentum during the T20 World Cup 2024 final between the two sides, Pant opened up on what exactly transpired on the field during the summit clash. Pant admitted to faking an injury to waste some time after the Proteas seemed to have gained momentum during their run chase.
The incident took place ahead of the 17th over during South Africa’s run chase. The Proteas were in cruise control, requiring only 26 runs to win off the last 24 balls, with David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen well set in the middle. Pant suddenly went down to the ground holding his knee and the Indian physio rushed to attend him.
During his latest appearance on the ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ on Netflix, Rohit recalled how Pant’s injury ploy caused a short delay which helped India break South Africa’s momentum. While Rohit didn’t completely give credit to Pant’s antics for India’s turnaround in the dying moments of the final, he did praise Pant’s presence of mind.
Revealing what exactly transpired on the field at the time, Pant said he went down on the ground to delay the proceedings after South Africa had gained momentum in their run-chase. The wicket-keeper batter revealed how he told India’s physio to take his time and later told Rohit that he was okay and was just acting.
“I actually thinking what to do because the momentum had suddenly shifted (in South Africa’s favour), they had scored plenty of runs in 2-3 overs, so I was thinking when will that moment come when we will the World Cup final,” Pant during a show on Star Sports.
“I was asking the physio to take time. When Rohit bhai asked if my knee is fine I said, ‘Bhaiya, mast acting kar raha tha’ (I was acting all this while). Sometimes you have to do these types of things in matches. I’m not saying it works every time, but it does work sometimes and if it works at that kind of a moment, then nothing like it,” added the wicket-keeper batter.
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
Rishabh Pant’s stellar comeback
Pant made a stellar comeback for India in the T20 World Cup 2024 which was his first major tournament after recovering from the injuries he sustained in a dangerous car crash in December 2022. Pant scored 171 runs in 8 innings in the tournament at an average of over 24 and was the 3rd highest run-getter for India behind Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav.
Team India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant recently opened up on Rohit Sharma’s ‘fake injury’ claim and revealed how he performed the antics to help India disrupt South Africa’s rhythm during the final against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
