Rohit Sharma Reflects on World Cup Heartbreak and Retirement Thoughts
Rohit Sharma's Emotional Journey Post World Cup Loss
Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma made a surprising revelation, stating that he contemplated retirement following the heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. He expressed feelings of having lost everything to the sport.
Under Rohit's leadership, India showcased an impressive performance throughout the tournament, winning nine consecutive matches to reach the final. However, they faced a setback in the crucial match.
Travis Head, the Australian opener, scored a century that ultimately proved decisive. During an event organized by Masters Union, Rohit shared, "After the World Cup final in 2023, I was completely disheartened. I felt like I no longer wanted to play this game because it had taken everything from me, and I believed I had nothing left."
He continued, "It took me some time to recover. I kept reminding myself that this is what I truly love. This is something I possess, and I can't let it go so easily. Gradually, I regained my lost energy and became active on the field again."
Rohit mentioned, "Everyone was disappointed by that loss, and we couldn't believe what had happened. Personally, it was a very challenging time for me as I had poured my heart and soul into that World Cup. I had been preparing for it not just two or three months prior, but since taking over the captaincy in 2022."
Having retired from T20 and Test cricket, Rohit was also removed from the ODI captaincy earlier this year. He continues to play in the 50-over format, aiming to remain part of the team until the 2027 World Cup.
He stated, "My sole aim was to win the World Cup, whether it was the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup in 2023. So when that didn't happen, I was utterly disheartened. I had no energy left in my body. It took me a few months to recover and get back on track."
Less than a year after the defeat in Ahmedabad, India, under Rohit's captaincy, clinched the title at the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies. However, overcoming the pain of the loss to Australia in November 2023 was not an easy feat.
Rohit reflected, "I think when you give everything to achieve something and then don't get the desired result, it's a natural reaction. That's exactly what happened to me. But I also knew that life doesn't end there."
He added, "This was a significant lesson for me in overcoming disappointment and preparing myself anew. I was aware that the T20 World Cup was coming up in 2024 in the USA and West Indies, and I needed to focus all my attention on that. It's easy to say now, but at that time, it was incredibly difficult."