New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has revisited one of the most dramatic passages of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, recalling how a brief interruption in play came at a crucial moment and potentially changed the course of the final against South Africa.
India were under immense pressure as South Africa needed just 30 runs from the final 30 deliveries, with five wickets remaining. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were mounting a strong challenge, leaving the Proteas seemingly within touching distance of their first T20 World Cup title.
Speaking to former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith in an interview with Sky Sports, Shastri recalled that the break in play involving wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant offered India an opportunity to regroup.
Shastri said he had remarked during the commentary that the interruption could work in India’s favour, given the momentum South Africa had built. The shift came immediately after play resumed, when India struck with the first ball following the break. He recalled how that wicket changed the atmosphere and eventually helped India close out the contest.
Shastri also remembered a conversation with former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock after the match. As Smith wrapped up the broadcast, Shastri noticed Pollock sitting nearby and recalled him describing the defeat as perhaps the biggest heartbreak for a team that had long carried the tag of ‘chokers’ in major tournaments.
The former India coach said he felt for South Africa, who had come close to major titles on several occasions. He added that the defeat would have been particularly difficult to accept because of the position the team had reached in the final.
South Africa eventually fell seven runs short, as India secured their second T20 World Cup title and ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. Shastri said the narrow defeat would have been a bitter experience for the Proteas, had the result gone the other way.
He also welcomed South Africa’s subsequent World Test Championship triumph, saying it helped the team overcome the burden of past disappointments.
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