“We aimed to emerge victorious in this tournament, but I understand that winning such an event requires a lot of effort behind the scenes,” Rohit expressed at the ceremony. “It takes a collective effort, with many minds coming together. I’m extremely proud of the group of players I have and the management team as well.
“They gave us the freedom to play, execute our plans, and trusted each one of us. This trust must originate from the management, coach-captain, and then the players execute it on the field. Throughout the tournament, we were exceptional.”
Rohit commended India’s resilience in coming back from a tough situation when South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls with six wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh fought back to secure a seven-run victory.
“We have experienced high-pressure situations before and have sometimes been on the losing side, but the guys understand what needs to be done when the pressure is on,” Rohit explained. “Today was a perfect example of what is required when the odds are against us.
“We stayed united as a team, even when it seemed like South Africa had the advantage. Overall, as a group on the field, we were determined to win. It’s hard to summarize what we’ve gone through in the last few years.
“We have put in a lot of hard work as individuals and as a team, a lot has happened behind the scenes for us to be here today and win this game. It’s not just about today’s performance, but about the work we’ve put in over the last few years, which has led to this result.”
Virat Kohli was awarded the Player of the Final for his crucial 76 runs that helped India reach a total of 176 for 7 after a shaky start. Rohit mentioned that despite Kohli’s tough T20 World Cup, the team never doubted that he would deliver when needed.
“There was never any doubt about Virat’s form,” Rohit stated. “We are aware of the quality he possesses, and he has been at the top of his game for the last 15 years. Big players always step up on important occasions. Virat held one end, which was crucial for us, while others contributed around him. Achieving that total was a team effort. We needed someone to anchor the innings.
“These pitches don’t allow for easy scoring, and we knew we needed someone to bat through the innings. Virat did that perfectly, drawing on his years of experience. The other players also played crucial roles, particularly Axar Patel’s 47 runs.”
Although India seemed to have the upper hand for most of South Africa’s chase, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen’s aggressive partnership in the 14th and 15th overs tested them. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s tight bowling in the crucial overs turned the tide in India’s favor.
Bumrah ended the T20 World Cup with exceptional figures, earning him the Player of the Tournament award. “I’ve known Bumrah for many years, played alongside him, but his skills continue to amaze me,” Rohit praised. “He executes his plans with precision and confidence, showcasing his class. Hardik also played a brilliant role, particularly in the pressure situations.”
