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Rohit Sharma (Source: JioStar)

Exactly a year after India lifted the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy in Barbados, captain Rohit Sharma has opened up about the emotional journey that led to the nation’s historic win over South Africa. 

On June 29, 2024, the Men in Blue ended an 11-year-long ICC trophy drought with a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The winning skipper spoke about the nervousness and pressure before the final, mentioning that he couldn’t sleep the night before.

“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. 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 nervous? Of course. I just don’t show it—but inside, it was a lot. 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,” Rohit said exclusively on JioHotstar’s special show “Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se."

Coming into the final, the 38-year-old had immense pressure, having led India to a ten-match winning streak in the 2023 ODI World Cup, only to lose at the final hurdle against Australia. Notably, it was India’s first ICC title since the 2011 ODI World Cup and Rohit’sfirst as captain. He had previously been part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning side in his debut year. The Nagpur-born led from the front throughout the tournament, finishing as the team's second-highest run-scorer with 257 runs at a strike rate of over 155. 

In the final, South Africa’s chase was anchored by Heinrich Klaasen’s 23-ball fifty, which included a 24-run over off Axar Patel. With just 30 runs needed off the final five overs and big-hitters like David Miller still at the crease, the Proteas looked to spoil India’s party. But Suryakumar Yadav, who was positioned at long-off, pulled off a sensational relay catch at the boundary line to dismiss Miller and get the team back in the contest.

“Surya was at long-off, and that catch, honestly, it was the moment of the match. Even after he took it, the umpires were checking if he touched the rope. Everyone’s heart was in their mouth. I was at long-on, watching it unfold. It looked like a six—until Surya flew in and took that blinder. With the wind blowing in, I think it helped pull the ball back slightly. I was standing next to him during the check. I asked him and he said, ‘I think I’ve caught it.’ The zoom camera showed the rope didn’t move, which usually happens if it’s touched. That gave us some relief. But until it flashed on the big screen, you don’t know what the third umpire’s going to decide,” Rohit added.

Meanwhile, post-win, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20Is. Kohli, who won the Player of the Match in the final, and Rohit exited the format on a high.