It's been a year since Rohit Sharma led India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, and the captain is sharing his heartfelt reflections on the momentous occasion. The win, which came after defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at Kensington Oval in Barbados, ended India's 17-year drought for a T20 World Cup title.
Sharma described the victory as the "best moment" of his cricketing career. He reminisced about the intense pressure leading up to the final, admitting he "didn't sleep the whole night" before the game due to nervousness. "I was only thinking about the World Cup. I was nervous. I couldn't feel my legs," Sharma confessed, revealing the weight of expectations he carried. Despite the internal turmoil, he maintained a calm exterior, focusing on leading his team to victory.
India's campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup was marked by consistency and resilience. The team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, showcasing their dominance with wins against formidable opponents like Pakistan and England. The final against South Africa was a nail-biting affair, with India ultimately defending a total of 176 runs. Virat Kohli's impressive knock of 76 runs off 59 balls was crucial in setting a competitive target.
Sharma praised the team's performance throughout the tournament, highlighting the crucial contributions of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh with the ball. He also lauded Rishabh Pant's fearless innings against Pakistan, calling his 42 runs "like scoring 70" on that particular pitch. Sharma acknowledged Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch in the final, calling it a "game-changer".
The victory was particularly special for Sharma, who had been part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad but lifted his first ICC title as captain in 2024. "Thirteen years is a long time. Most people don't even have a 13-year career. So, to wait that long to win a World Cup… the last one I won was in 2007," he reflected. "For me, it couldn't have gotten any bigger than this".
Sharma also shared his thoughts on the India-Pakistan clash, describing the atmosphere as "like a festival". "It wasn't just a game," he said, recalling the tight security and the palpable excitement surrounding the match. India emerged victorious in that encounter, edging out Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring thriller.
The 2024 T20 World Cup marked the end of an era for Indian cricket, as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is after the tournament. Sharma finished his T20I career with 4,231 runs in 159 games, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the greatest T20I opening batters of all time.
Looking back on the journey, Sharma emphasized that the victory was not just about the final day but the culmination of meticulous preparation and hard work over the past few years. He credited the team's resilience under pressure and praised the management and players for their contributions.
On the first anniversary of the historic win, Rohit Sharma shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, capturing the emotional journey of the team. The post included a video reel showcasing moments of joy, celebration, and camaraderie. "Barbados will forever be in my veins," Sharma declared, expressing his deep connection to the venue where the dream was realized.
