Rohit Sharma Bares World Cup Nerves: India Captain Reflects on T20 Triumph and 11-Year ICC Trophy Wait

Rohit Sharma has opened up about the emotions surrounding India's victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup, revealing the immense pressure and relief he felt after ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought.

Rohit Sharma (ICC Photo)

Speaking on JioHotstar’s special show "Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se," Sharma reminisced about the iconic win against South Africa in Barbados on June 29th, marking his first ICC title as captain.

“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," Sharma stated, highlighting the significance of the victory.

The Indian captain confessed to battling nerves before the final clash. "For me, it couldn't have gotten any bigger than this. I didn’t sleep the whole night. I was only thinking about the World Cup. I was nervous. I couldn’t feel my legs. Did I feel nerves? Of course. I just don’t show it—but inside, it was a lot," he revealed.

He further described his restless anticipation on the morning of the match: "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 just kept watching it. I remember thinking—‘In two hours, I’ll be there. And in four hours, the result will be out. Either the Cup will be here or it won’t.’”

The tournament also held special significance as it marked the farewell of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the T20 format.

Sharma's performance with the bat was instrumental in India's success, as he amassed 257 runs in eight innings, including three half-centuries. His average stood at 36.71, with a strike rate exceeding 155, making him the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.