On the exciting journey of cricket, few moments resonate as deeply as the thrill of lifting a World Cup trophy. For Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, that exhilarating feeling has yet to fully register even a year after India’s triumphant victory in the ICC T20 World Cup held in Barbados on June 29, 2024. The team secured a hard-fought win against South Africa, emerging victorious by a narrow seven runs and ending an 11-year drought for ICC trophies. This remarkable achievement marked Rohit Sharma's second T20 World Cup title, a crowning moment that further solidified his legacy in the sport.

Rohit Sharma, who had previously tasted victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup back in 2007, found this recent win to be especially significant. It was not just a personal victory but also a hard-earned redemption following the disappointment of India's loss to Australia in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final on home soil, where the team had enjoyed an impressive ten-match winning streak.

Reflecting on that momentous day, Sharma shared his emotions during an exclusive interview on JioHotstar's special show Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se. He remarked on the weight of anticipation, stating, “Thirteen years is a long time. Most people don’t even have a 13-year career. To wait that long to win a World Cup… the last one I won was in 2007.” His words echoed feelings of excitement mixed with anxiety, as he confessed, “I didn’t sleep the whole night. I was only thinking about the World Cup. I was nervous. I couldn’t feel my legs.”

Rohit described how the morning of the final unfolded for him, revealing a glimpse into the mind of a captain on the brink of a historic 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 T20 World Cup 2024 also marked an emotional farewell for two of cricket’s most iconic players: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both legends exited the T20 format as champions, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cricket.

During the tournament, Sharma was a key player for India, showcasing his exceptional batting skills. He scored a total of 257 runs across eight innings, which included three half-centuries, resulting in an impressive average of 36.71 and a strike rate exceeding 155. This performance positioned him as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, further enhancing his reputation as a formidable cricketer.