Rohit Sharma Reflects on India's Emotional ICC T20 World Cup Victory
Historic Win for India
On June 29, 2024, India celebrated a momentous occasion by clinching the ICC T20 World Cup trophy in Barbados. Captain Rohit Sharma shared his emotional journey leading up to the thrilling victory against South Africa.
The Men in Blue triumphed with a nail-biting seven-run win at Kensington Oval, marking the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC title. In an exclusive interview on JioHotstar’s show 'Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se,' Rohit opened up about the overwhelming pressure he faced before the final, admitting that he was unable to sleep the night before.
Rohit's Pre-Match Nerves
Reflecting on the long wait for a World Cup, Rohit stated, 'Thirteen years is a long time. Most players don’t even have a career that lasts this long. To wait that long for a World Cup… the last one I won was in 2007. For me, it couldn’t have meant more.' He described his anxiety, saying, 'I didn’t sleep a wink that night. My mind was completely focused on the World Cup. I was nervous; my legs felt numb.'
He recalled waking up early, staring at the ground from his room, and thinking about the impending match. 'In two hours, I’ll be out there. And in four hours, the result will be decided either we’ll have the Cup or we won’t,' he remembered.
A Moment of Change
The pressure was particularly high for the 38-year-old captain, who had previously led India to a ten-match winning streak in the 2023 ODI World Cup, only to lose in the final against Australia. This T20 World Cup victory was significant as it was India’s first ICC title since the 2011 ODI World Cup and Rohit’s first as captain, despite being part of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup team. Throughout the tournament, he was a key player, finishing as the team's second-highest run-scorer with 257 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 155.
During the final, South Africa's chase was bolstered by Heinrich Klaasen’s rapid 50 runs off 23 balls, including a pivotal 24-run over against Axar Patel. With 30 runs needed from the last five overs and dangerous hitters like David Miller at the crease, it appeared South Africa might secure victory. However, a pivotal moment occurred when Suryakumar Yadav executed a remarkable relay catch to dismiss Miller.
The Catch That Changed Everything
Rohit described the catch as the defining moment of the match, stating, 'That catch by Surya was honestly the moment of the match. Even after he took it, the umpires were reviewing to see if he’d touched the rope. Everyone’s heart was in their mouth.' He was positioned at long-on, watching the catch unfold, and noted how it seemed like a six until Surya made the incredible catch. 'The wind was blowing in, which probably helped pull the ball back a bit,' he added.
He recalled the tension during the review process, asking Suryakumar if he had caught it cleanly. The zoomed-in camera confirmed that the rope hadn’t moved, indicating a clean catch, which brought immense relief to the team.
A Triumphant Farewell
After the victory, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 internationals. Kohli, who was awarded Player of the Match in the final, and Rohit both chose to exit the format at the peak of their careers, leaving fans with unforgettable memories of their performances.