Rohit Sharma Hails India's T20 World Cup Victory: 'Barbados Will Forever Be a Part of Me'

Rohit Sharma of India lifts the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup Trophy (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Rohit Sharma has fondly recalled India's victorious campaign at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, stating, "It’s the pitch where everything happened! Barbados will forever be in my veins." He shared his thoughts on JioHotstar’s special program “Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se.”

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

The final, a nail-biting contest that extended to the last over, saw India maintain composure to clinch the title, bringing an end to years of near misses.

The triumph wasn't solely about the final game. It represented the peak of a flawless campaign where India remained undefeated, displaying dominance, resilience, and character all through the tournament.

A significant moment occurred earlier in the tournament during the high-stakes clash between rivals India and Pakistan.

“It wasn’t just a game,” Rohit remembered. “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 had taken over.”

India prevailed over Pakistan by six runs in a tense, low-scoring affair. Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance of 3 for 14 earned him the Player of the Match award.

Despite an early batting collapse where India quickly lost Kohli, Rohit, and Axar, Rishabh Pant's aggressive 42 off 31 balls stabilized the innings, taking India to a total of 119.

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

Rohit lauded Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh for their flawless execution of 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 thrilling atmosphere of the India-Pakistan match to the tense final in Barbados, Rohit's reflection serves as a powerful homage to a team that created unforgettable memories for the entire nation.