T20 world champions! How is the feeling?
It is one of the happiest moments of my life. Before the tournament started, I had told you that we were ready. We had a very good team and every member was determined to leave a mark. Thereafter, we peaked at the right time and once we peaked and everyone started doing their part, there was no looking back. We have an amazing bunch here and can’t tell you how happy everyone is.
You were stripped of the captaincy, dropped from the Sunrisers Hyderabad side and many had written you off. And now you have the T20 World Cup trophy and the Player of the Tournament award. This must be special for you?
When you are dropped from the team you have loved the most for years without any real fault of yours and stripped of captaincy without being given a reason, it hurts. At the same time there are no complaints. The fans in India have always been there for me and it is for them that you play. We play to entertain. We play to push for excellence. Whatever may have been the reason for me not finding a spot in an team, I can tell you I was training the hardest I ever did. I didn’t not miss a single day. I was batting extremely well in the nets and it was only a matter of time before it all started to work out. So yes, while it hurt, I knew I will have another opportunity. Sport is a great leveller and if you are true to the sport and keep working hard, you will always have a second chance. I just wanted to keep working the hardest and stay true. I am glad it worked out for me.
Even in the warm-up matches you looked somewhat rusty. But come the business end of the tournament and all of a sudden the strike rate was back to 140-plus.
Even in the final, if you see, I had scored 25 of 25 balls before I pushed on. That’s how things shape up on occasions. From the very start of the innings, I was middling the ball and was feeling good in the middle. Mitch played a stellar hand and there was no pressure on me. I knew if I stayed there, I will be able to play my shots and it was just a matter of time before the runs started to flow. If you know you are batting well and are confident there is just no reason to think negative. I never did and it worked.
Why did you walk in the semi-final when the snickometer showed you hadn’t edged the ball?
I felt something on the handle and (Glenn) Maxwell also thought he heard a sound and I did not want to waste a review by taking a chance. I did feel I got an edge and, in all fairness, felt I was out. It was just fair to not review and walk back.
You will be playing the T20 World Cup next year as defending champions. That will be a motivation to push the legacy further.
There is a lot of cricket to be played before next year. When you play for your country there is no bigger motivation. That’s the ultimate reward for a sportsperson. To make your people proud and happy. To make your family happy. We are fortunate to play the sport we love and you need to be true to it each and every day.
Finally, some family time for you.
I can’t wait to see Candice (his wife) and the girls for they will know I was able to do something for them and the country. This staying away from them is the hardest thing in the world but can’t tell you how pleased they will all be. This World Cup means the world to me. After all that happened it was vindication. I just want to thank all my fans and well-wishers in India for standing by me during the IPL and the World Cup. When you are down, such support makes a world of difference.
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