Ravi Shastri Recalls Key Moment Behind India's 2024 T20 World Cup Triumph

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has revisited the dramatic final moments of India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, recalling how a brief interruption in play may have shifted momentum at a stage when the Proteas appeared to be cruising towards victory. Shastri reflected on India's remarkable comeback after South Africa were left needing just 30 runs from 30 balls with five wickets in hand. He highlighted the significance of the brief stoppage involving Rishabh Pant, which came while Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were dominating the Indian bowling attack.

"Thirty balls, 30 runs, and then a break in play. I think both Ian Smith and I were on air, and I said this might just work in India's favour with Rishabh Pant taking that break. Klaasen was going hammer and tongs at the attack and David Miller was with him. Then came a wicket off the first ball after the break. Things started to change and the game turned around," Shastri said while speaking to former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith in an interview with Sky Sports.

The former India coach, who was part of the commentary team during the final, also recalled the reaction of former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock as the Proteas suffered another heartbreaking defeat in a major ICC tournament.

"You called the final and were wrapping things up. I walked to the back of the commentary box and saw Polly (Shaun Pollock) sitting in the corner. I looked towards him and he said, 'The biggest one.' South Africa had long carried the tag of chokers, and he felt this was the biggest example of that. I really felt for Polly because they came so close. They've come close so many times," Shastri said.

South Africa eventually lost the final by seven runs, allowing India to end an 11-year wait for an ICC title and secure their second T20 World Cup crown.

Shastri admitted that while he was delighted with India's triumph, the manner of South Africa's defeat made it especially painful from the opposition's perspective.

"In many ways, I'm glad South Africa went on to win the World Test Championship and finally got that monkey off their back. But if you were on the other side of that result, it would have been a very tough pill to swallow."

"Had South Africa comfortably beaten India, it would have been easier to accept. But needing 30 runs from 30 balls with five wickets in hand and then losing from there, that would leave you absolutely gutted," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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