Rohit Sharma Reflects on India's T20 World Cup Victory: A Journey of Redemption
A Year After the Triumph
One year after India's remarkable victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, captain Rohit Sharma reminisced about the unforgettable moments during an exclusive interview on JioHotstar’s ‘Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se’.
Sharma highlighted key events that contributed to India's success, including Virat Kohli and Axar Patel's crucial partnership, Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch, and Rahul Dravid's final role as coach.
“Thirteen years is a significant period. Many don’t even have a career that long. To wait so long for another World Cup victory—my last was in 2007—this was monumental for me,” Sharma expressed.
Recalling the night before the final, he shared: “I couldn’t sleep at all. My mind was solely focused on the World Cup. I felt nervous and restless. I woke up early, around 7 AM, and from my room, I could see the ground, thinking about how in just a few hours, the outcome would be revealed.”
The Game-Changing Partnership
Discussing the pivotal partnership between Kohli and Axar Patel, Sharma noted: “Hitting three boundaries in the first over sets a positive tone. That’s what every player aims for—it calms the nerves. Years of experience playing for India help in managing emotions and staying focused.”
“I’m sure Virat was also thinking, ‘Today is crucial—I must concentrate and not dwell on the past.’ His performance was outstanding, especially during a tense moment when we lost three early wickets. I felt the pressure and thought we had let them back into the game,” he added.
“However, I had faith in our lower middle order. They hadn’t had many chances in the tournament, but when they did, they capitalized. That belief kept me optimistic,” Sharma remarked.
He praised Axar Patel’s innings, stating: “Not many are acknowledging Axar’s contribution, but his 47 off 31 balls was vital. He anchored the innings, allowing others like Shivam and Hardik to play freely.”
The Catch That Changed Everything
Reflecting on Suryakumar Yadav’s incredible catch, Sharma said: “Surya’s catch at long-off was truly the match-defining moment. There was a moment of suspense as the umpires checked if he had touched the boundary. I was at long-on, and it looked like a six until he made that extraordinary catch.”
“I stood next to him during the review. He confidently said, ‘I think I caught it.’ The camera showed the rope didn’t move, which was reassuring. But until the big screen confirmed it, we were all anxious,” he recalled.
A Moment to Cherish
“Barbados will always hold a special place in my heart. This is the pinnacle of my cricketing journey. Lifting that trophy and being crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Champions was surreal,” Sharma stated.
“Having played in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and winning under MS Dhoni, to achieve this again with Rahul Dravid as coach was immensely meaningful. We’ve faced disappointments before, making this victory even more significant. Our relentless effort paid off, and the emotions were overwhelming,” he added.
Dravid's Last Mission
Sharma also discussed Rahul Dravid's decision to continue coaching for one last campaign after the 2023 ODI World Cup. “Rahul bhai considered stepping down, but we encouraged him to stay for another World Cup. I’m grateful he agreed,” he said.
“For me, it was emotional as my cricketing identity began with this format in 2007. To come full circle and lift the trophy again in 2024 was fantastic,” he reflected.
From Heartbreak to Victory
“As we approached the semi-final, I felt quietly confident. We had been playing well, and everyone was in form. The heavy defeat to England in 2022 lingered in our minds, but we learned from it,” Sharma explained.
“From 2022 to 2024, we made significant changes in our mindset, preparation, and approach to crucial moments. This time, we were fully ready, with clarity in our goals,” he concluded.