Rohit Sharma Hails India's T20 World Cup Victory: 'Barbados Forever in My Veins'

Rohit Sharma Reflects on India's T20 World Cup Triumph: 'Barbados is in My Veins'

"It’s the pitch where everything happened! Barbados will forever be in my veins," Rohit Sharma declared on JioHotstar’s special program "Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se," reminiscing about India’s victorious campaign at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Rohit Sharma lifting the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup Trophy.

A year has passed since India ended their 17-year wait for a T20 World Cup title, securing the trophy with a thrilling final victory over South Africa at Kensington Oval.

In a nail-biting contest that went down to the wire, India showcased remarkable composure to clinch the title, putting an end to years of near misses. The victory wasn't just about the final match; it represented the culmination of a flawless tournament for India, where they remained undefeated, demonstrating dominance, character, and resilience throughout.

One of the defining moments occurred earlier in the tournament during the high-stakes clash between rivals India and Pakistan. "It wasn’t just a game," Rohit recalled. "Two days before the match, we were locked in — tight security, fans everywhere, you could feel something special was coming. It felt like a festival."

In a tense, low-scoring encounter, India narrowly defeated Pakistan by six runs. Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance, claiming 3 wickets for 14 runs, earned him the Player of the Match award.

Despite an early stumble with the bat, losing key players like Kohli, Rohit, and Axar quickly, Rishabh Pant's fearless innings of 42 runs off 31 balls revitalized the innings, propelling India to a total of 119.

"On that pitch, his 42 was like scoring 70," Rohit remarked. "We knew 140 was par, but with our bowlers, even 119 could work."

Rohit acknowledged the crucial roles played by Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in executing the game plan. "Bumrah is a weapon — he takes wickets and dries up runs. Arshdeep’s been brilliant too, and they were crucial in pushing the game in our favour."

From the electrifying atmosphere of the India-Pakistan showdown to the nail-biting final in Barbados, Rohit’s reflection serves as a powerful tribute to a team that provided a nation with unforgettable memories.