Rohit Sharma shared that his team channeled the frustration from their loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final into their performance for the T20 World Cup the next year. He mentioned how the defeat on November 19, 2023, felt like a blow to the whole country, and everyone in the team was eager to take revenge. India was on a winning streak in the 2023 World Cup until that final, pulling off some incredible victories and aiming for a happy ending in front of a huge crowd in Ahmedabad. But Australia, who had a rocky tournament, turned it around and won by six wickets.
“There was always anger in the back of my mind,” Rohit said in an interview with Star Sports. “They ruined our 19 November, not just for us but for the whole country. We needed to save something for them. It would be nice to give them a little gift.” The sting of that match lasted for a while, but they got some payback during the T20 World Cup, knocking Australia out in the Super-Eight round at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Rohit shone in that game, scoring 92 runs off 41 balls and leading India to a 24-run victory.
“You have these thoughts while playing,” Rohit added. “But when you’re batting, it’s not like you’re just thinking about knocking them out. We talk about it in the dressing room, and there’s a bit of fun in saying, ‘Let’s knock them out, it’ll be great!’” India went on to win the whole tournament, defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC title under Rohit’s leadership. He, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, retired from T20 after that win. Rohit has also stepped away from Test cricket but is reportedly gearing up for one last run in the 2027 ODI World Cup.