The Indian team led by captain Rohit Sharma triumphed at the T20 World Cup 2024 and scripted history by becoming the first team to win the tournament by remaining unbeaten.
They beat South Africa by 7 runs in the World Cup Final at Barbados, on June 29. In the process, they also ended a decade-long drought of ICC trophies for the country.
One of the star Indian batsmen, Suryakumar Yadav recalled key moments of the historic match during an interview with the Indian Express. He narrated the mindset of the team ahead of the Final and also the pep talks given by skipper Rohit, to motivate the Indian players.
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What did Rohit Sharma tell the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup Final?
Speaking to the Indian Express, SKY recounted his experiences of winning the T20 World Cup for the country. He also revealed what Rohit Sharma told the team before the final against South Africa:
"Before the final, he told us to keep it simple but said, ‘I can’t climb this mountain alone. If I have to reach the peak, I will need everyone’s oxygen’. He also said, ‘Joh bhi hai, paon mein, dimag mein, dil mein (Whatever you have in your legs, mind and heart), just bring everything to the game. If that happens, we will not regret the night’. We all were moved."
Yadav has long been associated with Rohit, not only from the Mumbai state team and Team India, but also from the Indian Premier League (IPL), where both players are part of the Mumbai Indians franchise.
He praised Rohit's ability to connect with all the players in the team, both on and off the field. Further, his quality as a leader to back his teammates and instill confidence in them, has helped him gain both respect and success as a captain, in the last decade.
"I have played so much cricket, be it in IPL or international cricket in the past four-five years. He connects with the players. Off the field, be it in a hotel room, or on the beach, he connects with everyone. So when a crunch situation comes, players know that he [Rohit] will back us. One feels I have to deliver for this man for the confidence and respect he gives to everyone,” SKY said
SKY on Rahul Dravid - 'He has created a wall which protects us from expectations...and to provide comfort to players'
It can be said that the combination of a great captain and a smart coach helped India secure the T20 World Cup after a 17-year-long gap. Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma deserve all the praise for their work and success with the Indian team.
"He (Dravid) has created a wall which protects us from the expectations of people, pressure, and to provide comfort to the players," SKY said
"Virat bhai also said the same thing the other day about “the way you have played and seen cricket in your time and to come out and give the freedom to players in this format...' If a batsman felt that this is right, he will say 'ok, if you feel it’s right, you make that decision'. He never imposed his experience on anyone. He understood others and thought about what others were thinking. These are small things that we forget after winning a tournament. His contribution was massive. His sense of humour is awesome," he added
"It spreads positivity. This time, he kept many optional practice sessions, but it was the first time everyone wanted to come for an optional practice session. Everyone wanted to spend time with each other. Once he put a message on the group that he was going to the beach and all 15 players were there. There was a different vibe this time," Surya recalled the positive atmosphere in the Indian team ahead of the big tournament.
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