Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant finally revealed how his fake injury broke South Africa’s dominant momentum in the T20 World Cup final, where India ultimately won to lift the trophy for the second time.  

During a recent ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that Risbhah Pant’s fake knee injury took some time, which ultimately broke South African batters’ momentum in the game. As the team physio came on the ground to check Pant, it took some time before the next action of the match. It was Pant’s first ICC tournament after his return to the game from a long injury layoff. 

Chasing down the 177-run target, South Africa were strongly batting at 151/4 in 16 overs. The Proteas side needed 26 off 24 balls, and Heinrich Klaasen was firing on 52 off just 26 balls. 

After that important break, Hardik Pandya started the 17th over, and Klaasen was caught behind by Pant on the first ball of that over. Since then, the Indian bowlers were completely disciplined. In the last four overs, India conceded only one four and ultimately won the match by seven runs. It was India’s second men’s T20 World Cup trophy win after winning the inaugural edition of the tournament in South Africa in 2007.    

They had scored plenty of runs in 2-3 overs: Pant

In a recent Star Sports Show, Pant revealed that incident. The wicketkeeper said, "I actually thinking what to do because the momentum had suddenly shifted, 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." 

I was asking the physio to take time: Pant

In the 15th over, the Indian left-arm spinner Axar Patel conceded 24 runs as Klaasen slammed him two fours and two sixes. 

Pant added, "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."

It was South Africa’s first final in any ICC men’s World Cup tournament, while the Indian men’s last time won an ICC trophy was in 2013 by winning the ICC Champions Trophy.

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