Rohit Sharma hailed the processes and preparations that led India to win the T20 World Cup title in a tense final against South Africa in Barbados. The victory marked India’s first T20 World Cup win since 2007 and their first ICC tournament win since 2013.
“We wanted to win this, but I know to win a tournament like this, a lot goes behind the scenes,” Rohit said at the presentation ceremony. “A lot of effort, a lot of minds need to come together, and I’m very, very proud of the bunch of boys that I have, and the management as well.”
Rohit praised the team’s ability to come back from an extremely tough situation. South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls with six wickets in hand, but Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh pulled it back to secure a seven-run victory for India.
“We have played a lot of high-pressure games in the past as well and been on the wrong side of it, but guys do understand when the pressure is on, what needs to be done,” Rohit said. “Today was the perfect example of when the back is against the wall what is required.”
Rohit emphasized the team’s hard work over the last few years. “We worked really hard as individuals and as a team. A lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here today and winning this game. It’s not what we did today, it is what we have been doing for the last three-four years. That’s the result that has come for us today.”
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Final for his crucial innings of 76, which helped India score 176 for 7 after being 34 for 3 in the fifth over. Rohit praised Kohli’s performance and the team’s belief in his abilities. “Nobody was in doubt about Virat’s form,” Rohit said. “We know the quality he has. He has been on top of his game for the last 15 years. Come the occasion, we know big players will stand up.”
Rohit also highlighted the importance of Axar Patel’s knock of 47, which was crucial in building a competitive total. “These are not the wickets where you can come and bat freely and keep the scoreboard ticking straightaway. We wanted somebody to bat as long as possible and Virat did that perfectly. Axar’s knock was very crucial as well.”
Despite South Africa’s strong position during their chase, with David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen turning the game with 38 runs off the 14th and 15th overs, Rohit credited the bowlers for their composure under pressure. Bumrah, who finished the tournament with 15 wickets, bowled crucial overs that shifted the momentum back in India’s favor. His efforts earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
“I’ve been someone who has seen him for so many years, playing alongside him,” Rohit said about Bumrah. “He’s a class act. And Hardik was brilliant as well, bowling that over, no matter how many runs were required to book that last over. I’m very proud.”a
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