'If I have to reach the peak, I will need everyone’s oxygen' - Suryakumar reveals Rohit's inspirational huddle speech in T20 World Cup final

Suryakumar Yadav revealed skipper Rohit Sharma's inspirational huddle speech which spurred India as they went on to beat South Africa by seven runs in the dramatic T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados last month.

India set a challenging target of 177 for South Africa to chase down in the all-important title clash. However, the unbeaten Proteas side had enough ammunition in their batting department to reach the target. The Men in Blue needed to come out with a lot of energy and vigour to counter the fearsome South African batters and they were on top of their game from the get-go. Suryakumar, who took a sensational catch in the last over to dismiss the dangerous David Miller, revealed the huddle speech from Rohit which turned out to be a shot in the arm for the entire unit.

"He told us to keep it simple but said, ‘I can’t climb this mountain alone. If I have to reach the peak, I will need everyone’s oxygen'. He also said, ‘Joh bhi hai, paon mein, dimag mein, dil mein (Whatever you have in your legs, mind and heart), just bring everything to the game. If that happens, we will not regret the night’. We all were moved," Suryakumar told The Indian Express.

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Suryakumar mentioned some of the captaincy traits of Rohit, which makes him special. The 33-year-old said that the legendary cricketer connects with his players on and off the field and backs them at all times.

"He connects with the players. Off the field, be it in a hotel room, or on the beach, he connects with everyone. So when a crunch situation comes, players know that he (Rohit) will back us. One feels I have to deliver for this man for the confidence and respect he gives to everyone," Suryakumar said.

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Suryakumar finished as the second-highest run-getter for India in the marquee event. In eight innings, he scored 199 runs at an average of 28.42 and a strike rate of 135.37, including a couple of half-centuries.