'I was the only one' - MS Dhoni shares experience of watching T20 World Cup 2024 final with friends

MS Dhoni revealed that most of his friends lost hope when South Africa were cruising along in their run-chase in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against India, but he told them to keep faith till the end of the match. In the last five overs, the Men in Blue put the brakes on the Proteas and emerged victorious by seven runs to win their second T20 World Cup title.

Dhoni, who led the Indian team to the title in the inaugural season of the T20 World Cup, said that he had watched the 2024 final at home with his friends coming over to give him company. The talismanic wicketkeeper-batter opined that South Africa didn't have great depth in their batting, and that was a massive advantage for Rohit Sharma's men.

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"We were at home; some friends had come over. The way the second innings was going, most them had gone outside. They said to me, it is done, come join us outside. I said to them that in cricket, it is not over until it is over. None of them believed, even I was questioning but on the inside, I was asking 'what should India do now?," - Dhoni told host Tanmay Bhat at a promotional event for Rigi.

"One of the things I firmly believed was that their batters were slightly light on the batting front. There was a time when they were cruising but when the stakes were high and it was very crucial, you get a chance and you want to do the most of it. I think we did that and we won the trophy," the 43-year-old added.

Big congratulations to the guys on the field: MS Dhoni

The five-time Indian Premier League-winning captain congratulated the Indian players for showing fighting spirit right till the end.

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Big congratulations to the guys on the field because that is the kind of energy, motivation, and belief that was needed. Irrespective of the result, till they don't win we need to keep pushing the game and that was the attitude,"- the legendary player stated.

Hardik Pandya bowled an excellent last over as the Asian giants defended a 177-run target to end their 11-year-long wait for an ICC title.