On this day – June 29th 2024, India lifted the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy in Barbados, captain Rohit Sharma opened up about the rollercoaster of emotions leading to that historic victory over South Africa.
On June 29, 2024, the Men in Blue ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy with a thrilling seven-run win at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar’s special show “Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se,” Rohit revealed the pressure and nervousness he felt before the final – so intense that he couldn’t sleep the entire night.
“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. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. My mind was completely focused on the World Cup. I was nervous my legs felt numb. Of course, I felt nervous. I just don’t show it outwardly, but inside, it was a lot to handle. We were supposed to leave around 8:30 or 9 in the morning, but I woke up at 7. From my room, I could see the ground and kept staring at it. I remember thinking, ‘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.’”
The pressure was immense for the 38-year-old, who had led India to a ten-match winning streak during the 2023 ODI World Cup, only to fall short in the final against Australia. This T20 World Cup win marked India’s first ICC title since the 2011 ODI World Cup and Rohit’s first as captain, though he had been part of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup squad early in his career. Throughout the tournament, Rohit led from the front, ending as the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 257 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 155.
The Defining Moment of the Final
South Africa’s chase was fueled by Heinrich Klaasen’s quickfire 50 off 23 balls, which included a crucial 24-run over off Axar Patel. With 30 runs needed from the last five overs and dangerous hitters like David Miller still at the crease, it seemed South Africa might snatch victory. But then came a moment that changed everything – Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning relay catch at long-off to dismiss Miller.
“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. I was standing at long-on watching it all happen. It looked like a six until Surya flew in and pulled off that incredible catch. The wind was blowing in, which probably helped pull the ball back a bit. I was right next to him during the review, and I asked him if he’d caught it clean. He said, ‘I think I did.’ The zoomed-in camera showed the rope didn’t move, which usually means a clean catch. That gave us huge relief. But until it appeared on the big screen, you never really know what the third umpire will decide,” Rohit recalled.
Farewell on a High
Following the victory, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 internationals. Kohli, who earned the Player of the Match award in the final, and Rohit both bowed out of the format at the peak of their careers, leaving fans with unforgettable memories of their performances.
