Mumbai, July 5: India skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his heroics in the last over during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa.

The Men in Blue lifted the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy for the second time, defeating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados on Saturday. Rohit announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game after winning the T20 World Cup final.

The Mumbai-born cricketer expressed his feelings after winning the trophy in front of the Wankhade squad.

"This trophy is for the entire nation. Along with all the players who have represented the country, we want to dedicate it to our fans, who have waited for 11 years," said Rohit during the event.

Further, the opener hailed the Wankhade crowd and said thank you to them.

"Mumbai never disappoints. We got a solid reception. On behalf of the team, we would like to thank the fans. I am very, very happy and relieved," Rohit said during the event," the right-hand batter added.

In the end, the prolific batter lauded Pandya for his brilliance in the last over of the final.

"Hardik was bowling the final over for us. Hats off to him for bowling that last over. You know, no matter how many runs you need, there is always so much pressure to bowl that over. But hats off to him," the 37-year-old concluded.

The all-rounder, who made a big contribution in the final with the crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, had a good tournament with bat and ball and became the first Indian man to reach No. 1 in the category.

(ANI)

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