Rohit Sharma said it. “This was my last (T20I) game as well,” he revealed during the post-match news conference. “No better time to say goodbye to this format.”

The India captain couldn’t fire with the bat on Saturday. But he kept his cool and had the fielders in the right position to create pressure on the South Africans, who choked in the end to concede the match and the T20 World Cup trophy to India.

Right through, Rohit was right with his field placings and bowling changes. With his bowlers too not fumbling at the death, this World Cup was finally India’s, and deservingly so.

India will now have a new captain in the shortest format, maybe Hardik Pandya or even a Suryakumar Yadav. But Rohit’s contribution in this World Cup, especially in the games against Australia and England, will be eternal in the history books of Indian cricket. It certainly couldn’t have been a better farewell for him.

“It’s very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last three to four years. We worked very hard as individuals and as a team, a lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here and win this game,” Rohit said after India’s seven-run win in Bridgetown.

“It is not what we did today (Saturday). It is what we have been doing for the last three-four years. It’s just that the result has come today (Saturday). We have played lots of high-pressure games and been on the wrong side. But the guys understand what needs to be done. This was the perfect example of when the back is against the wall, what is required to be done.

“We stuck together even when it was looking South Africa’s way. Overall, as a team and as a group on the field, we wanted to win this badly,” Rohit emphasised.

Effusive in his praise for Virat Kohli, who bid farewell to T20Is, Rohit said: “Nobody was in doubt over Virat’s form. We know the quality he has. Come the occasion, the big players will stand up.

“Virat was holding that end up for us. We wanted someone to bat as long as possible. This wasn’t a wicket where a new guy could come and play straight. That’s where the experience of Virat comes through.”

Kohli with his 59-ball 76 aside, Pandya’s 3/20 was equally critical in India’s victory in the thrilling finish. Being one of India’s key contributors in this World Cup, all-rounder Pandya ensured he hit back at his detractors.

“It’s a very emotional moment,” Pandya said. “Something was not clicking for me earlier, but this was something the nation wanted.

“It’s also special for me after those six months. I hadn’t spoken a word then. Things have been unfair, but I knew there’d be a time I could shine.”