India overcame a 13-year ICC trophy drought on June 29, 2024, when they defeated South Africa in the T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. After leading the Men in Blue to success, Rohit Sharma has now talked candidly about the emotional toll that ultimately led to him taking home the trophy.
Since the 2013 Champions title, the Men in Blue had been on a long wait for an ICC title, with several close calls in various competitions. The team lost in numerous knockout stages, including the 2023 ODI World Cup final, despite possessing a top-tier roster. However, on June 29, India won their second T20 World Cup title—their first since the victory spearheaded by MS Dhoni in 2007—by defeating South Africa by 7 runs in an exciting last over. This victory completed the circle for Rohit, who made his debut in the first edition.
“Barbados will forever be in my veins. This is the proudest moment of my cricketing career. To lift that trophy, to be crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Champions—it was surreal. I played in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup, and we won under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. And now, to win it again with Rahul Dravid as head coach—it meant everything to this group. We’ve seen heartbreak. We’ve come so close. That’s why this one was so special.”
Rohit Sharma
We worked and planned relentlessly every day. And when we finally won, all the emotions came pouring out. The younger players, especially those playing their first World Cup, realised how hard it is to win one. Nothing can be taken for granted. It was magical,” Rohit said exclusively on JioHotstar’s special show ‘Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se.’
“It was also emotional for me” – Rohit Sharma opens up on T20 World Cup 2024 triumph
Virat Kohli’s 76, Axar Patel’s 47, Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics at the end, Suryakumar Yadav’s game-changing catch, and Hardik Pandya’s final over were among the contributions he recalled from the final. India battled back to register 176/7 after losing wickets in short succession.
They later succeeded in keeping the Proteas seven runs behind the target thanks to some outstanding bowling. Rahul Dravid, the head coach, had intended to resign following the 2023 ODI World Cup, but Rohit disclosed that the squad persuaded him to continue till the T20 World Cup.
“Rahul bhai wanted to step down after the 2023 World Cup. But we said, ‘There’s another World Cup in six months. We’ve come this far. Let’s give it one more shot.’ He agreed—and I’m so glad he did. I’m sure even now he feels that he made the right decision. For me personally, it was also emotional. My identity as a cricketer began with this format in the 2007 T20 World Cup. To come full circle and lift the trophy again in 2024—it was just fantastic.”
Rohit Sharma
The title win also marked the end of Rohit, Virat, and Ravindra Jadeja’s great careers in T20Is, as they declared their retirement following the event.
