Inside India’s T20 World Cup Win: Rohit Sharma Breaks Down Every Turning Point

India’s skipper relives the emotional journey of the 2024 T20 World Cup Final against South Africa, calling it the most fulfilling moment of his cricketing career and hailing Kohli, Axar, and Surya for their match-defining performances.

Mumbai, June 27: Rohit Sharma has described India’s thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 triumph over South Africa as the “best moment of his life,” recounting the high-pressure encounter where “each over had its own story.” In an emotional retelling during JioHotstar’s Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se, the Indian captain reflected on the tension, key turning points, and the long 13-year wait since his last World Cup title in 2007.

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On June 29, 2024, India ended their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought by defeating South Africa by seven runs in a gripping final in Barbados. It marked Rohit’s second T20 World Cup win and first as captain, following the heartbreak of losing the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia at home despite a flawless ten-match winning streak.

Sharing his mindset before the final, Rohit revealed he didn’t sleep the night before and was gripped by nerves. “I couldn’t feel my legs. I kept sipping coffee, not talking to anyone. All I could think about was the result,” he said.

India’s innings began poorly with the top order collapsing to 34/3. Rohit admitted to “panicking” at that stage. But Virat Kohli, who had struggled through the tournament, rose to the occasion. Hitting three early boundaries, Kohli regained composure and built a crucial 72-run partnership with Axar Patel. Kohli’s gritty 76 off 59 balls and Axar’s explosive 47 off 31 balls lifted India to a competitive 176/7.

“If you hit three boundaries in the first over, it sets the tone. Virat did that, and it gave us hope,” Rohit noted, also praising Axar’s knock as the “game-changer.”

Contributions from Shivam Dube (27 off 16) and Hardik Pandya (5* off 2) ensured India posted a defendable total. Rohit emphasized that each over in the final felt like a narrative arc. “I had to be sharp with my bowling changes. Every over had its own story,” he said.

Jasprit Bumrah’s peach to dismiss Reeza Hendricks early was a defining moment. “Unplayable,” Rohit called it. However, the match tilted in South Africa’s favor when Heinrich Klaasen launched a brutal assault on Axar in the 15th over, smashing 24 runs.

“That was the biggest over. Klaasen made good balls look bad. But that’s sport—you make a decision and stick with it,” Rohit reflected.

The tide turned in the 16th over, when Hardik bowled Klaasen with what Rohit called the “ideal T20 ball”—tight, wide, and un-hittable. From that point, India applied pressure.

The match’s most dramatic moment came in the final over when Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a jaw-dropping boundary-line catch to dismiss David Miller. “I thought it was a six. Everyone’s heart was in their mouth. But Surya pulled off something incredible,” Rohit recalled.

India restricted South Africa to 169/8, clinching the title in a nerve-wracking finish.

Calling it the pinnacle of his career, Rohit said, “It was by far the best moment of my life. We had experienced heartbreaks. But we planned meticulously, worked hard daily, and every emotion poured out on that day.”