EXCLUSIVE: 'I was overjoyed,' Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra reacts to India's 2024 T20 World Cup win
Rohit Sharma in dressing room after winning the T20 World Cup (Source: BCCI) Photograph:( X )
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The Olympic gold medalist also spoke about retirement of ace batter Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. Both announced their retirement from the shortest format for India after the title win.
The Olympic gold medalist also spoke about retirement of ace batter Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. Both announced their retirement from the shortest format for India after the title win.
Ace India javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra lauded India's 2024 T20 World Cup win and said that the team handled pressure situations brilliantly. India won their second T20 WC title by beating South Africa on Saturday (June 29) in Barbados by seven runs in a thrilling finish.
Speaking to WION's Digvijay Singh Dev, Chopra said: "I attended the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. We were perfect throughout the tournament, but things didn't go in our favour on the day of the final. But it's fine, we won the T20 World Cup."
#WIONExclusive | In an exclusive interview with @DiggySinghDeo, 2020 Tokyo Olympics men's javelin throw champion @Neeraj_chopra1 shares his elation after @ImRo45's Team India beat South Africa to win the #T20WorldCup2024. This is India's first World Cup trophy since 2011. pic.twitter.com/1ClzkLocz2
— WION (@WIONews) June 30, 2024
"The match was pretty topsy-turvy. It was anyone's game till the last few overs, but we made a good comeback. I think in sports what matters is how you perform in pressure situations. We handled those moments brilliantly. So, it was a very good moment. I was overjoyed when we won," he added.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir reacts to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is after World Cup win
The Olympic gold medalist also spoke about retirement of ace batter Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. Both announced their retirement from the shortest format for India after the title win.
"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will always be an inspiration for future generations. They have been playing for so long that it may have crossed their minds that they are getting injured more often. To play for so many years and keep yourself fit is a challenging task."
"Their retirement paves the way for the next generation to take over the mantle. They have done a lot for our country, in T20Is and other formats as well. Every athlete retires, everyone has to walk away. It's a natural process. I think they got the best farewell. They won the T20 World Cup and are leaving on a high," Chopra said.
India had set South Africa 177-run target to win the 2024 T20 World Cup. India won the toss and elected to bat first in Barbados and scored 176/7 in 20 overs.
As for South Africa, they were ahead most of the time and needed 30 runs in last five overs with Heinrich Klaasen and Miller on the crease.
The chase derailed after Pandya dismissed Klaasen in 17th over and from thereon India came out as eventual winners, holding SA at 169/8.
