Rohit Sharma Reflects on T20 World Cup Win: 'Barbados Will Always 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 fondly remembers India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory, stating, "It’s the pitch where everything happened! Barbados will forever be in my veins." He shared his reflections on JioHotstar’s special program, “Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se.”

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

In a nail-biting contest that went down to the wire, India displayed remarkable composure to clinch the title and bring an end to years of near misses. The victory was not just about the final game but the result of a perfect campaign in which India remained undefeated, demonstrating dominance and resilience throughout the tournament.

A significant moment from the tournament was 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 had taken over.”

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

Despite an early struggle with the bat, where India quickly lost Kohli, Rohit, and Axar, Rishabh Pant's fearless innings of 42 runs off 31 balls rescued the innings, guiding 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 praised 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 charged atmosphere of the India-Pakistan match to the tense final in Barbados, Rohit's reflection is a tribute to a team that created unforgettable memories for the nation.