Rohit Sharma Shares How Virat Kohli Calmed His Nerves in T20 World Cup Final
India's triumphant victory at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in Barbados marked the end of an 11-year wait for a major ICC title. While Rohit Sharma led the team to success against South Africa, he has now revealed the pressure he felt during the final and how Virat Kohli's composed innings helped stabilize the team.
Moment of Panic Amid High Stakes
Rohit Sharma candidly admitted to feeling panicked during a critical phase of the final at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval. After opting to bat first, he was dismissed cheaply, leaving the team in a precarious position early on. Reflecting on the experience, Rohit shared, “I was panicking. I wasn’t comfortable. I thought we’d let them into the game.”
This anxiety stemmed partly from memories of the previous year's World Cup final in Ahmedabad, where Rohit was dismissed early and India’s total fell short against Australia. The early loss of wickets — including Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav — only intensified the pressure.
Virat Kohli’s Masterclass: The Turning Point
At this crucial juncture, Virat Kohli stepped up with a commanding innings of 76 runs off 59 balls. Rohit credited Kohli’s vast experience and mental fortitude for calming the atmosphere in the dressing room. He explained, “The experience of playing for India for so many years helps you control your emotions, stay focused, and be in the moment.”
Rohit elaborated that Kohli's approach was to remain unfazed by past events and concentrate fully on delivering a steady performance to anchor the team’s innings.
Adding to Kohli’s effort was all-rounder Axar Patel, whose quickfire 47 runs off 31 balls proved vital. Their partnership yielded 72 runs, a key factor that shifted momentum in India's favor.
A Thrilling Chase and Ultimate Triumph
South Africa’s chase was anything but easy. Despite early setbacks, players like Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27), Quinton de Kock (39), and Tristan Stubbs (31) fought valiantly, coming close to overturning India’s target of 177.
However, stellar death bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya eventually sealed the victory. The final blow came as a crucial single in the last over fell short, sealing India’s win.
What the Victory Meant
For Rohit and the team, this triumph was more than just a trophy. It symbolized resilience after years of close calls and near misses. Rohit reflected, “It meant so much to all of us. We’d experienced heartbreak before, so this was special. We planned meticulously and worked hard every day to win.”
The celebrations that followed at the Wankhede Stadium underscored the significance of this win for the entire squad and millions of fans.
