Rohit Sharma wanted REVENGE over Australia, says ‘ruined our November 19…’
Former India captain Rohit Sharma can’t get over the pain of losing the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final to Australia at home. Team India had gone into the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as the overwhelming favourites but it was Pat Cummins-led side which emerged on top.
The next time that India faced Australia in the World Cup was the T20 WC 2024 in the Caribbean in the Super8 stage. Rohit, who led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 title last year – their first after 17 years, revealed that he had revenge on his mind over Australia.
“We knew that if we won this match, Australia would be out. That was a decent motivation for all of us. But cricket is not played thinking about what happened last time. Yes, you want to do well against them. But it is never going to be about the past. That thing is in the back of the mind — they ruined our 19th November. Not just ours, but the whole country’s,” Rohit Sharma said exclusively on JioHotstar’s special ‘Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se’.
“So, we should give them a good gift as well. Yes, in the dressing room all this keeps happening among us — between the boys. But when the toss happens, the game starts — then it is all about how you can do your best. When I am batting, I don’t think — let’s knock them out. It doesn’t work like that. I have to focus on how I can play well against them. That was the only thought in my mind — how can I bat well and contribute.”
Rohit Sharma had special plans for a defensive Mitchell Starc
Captain Rohit led from the front in that Super8 clash against Australia, top-scoring with 92 as India emerged victorious by 24 runs to book their place in the semifinals. Team India posted 205 for 5 thanks to Rohit’s brilliant knock and restricted the Aussies to 181 for 7.
“My plan was to attack everyone. I’ve played against Mitchell Starc for so many years, so I had my own plans. The Australians are very smart. I felt Starc wasn’t trying to get me out. When a bowler starts bowling wide and keeping the ball away, he’s just looking to survive, to finish his over,” Rohit recalled.
“For me, half the battle is won there. That knock was very special to me. Yes, hundreds are great, but some of the 60s or 70s, considering the match context and occasion, are bigger. It’s the World Cup — it means a lot. So yes, I’d put that innings right up there,” he added.
‘Threat’ before India vs Pakistan match
India’s T20 World Cup winning skipper Rohit Sharma also reflected on the build-up to the India vs Pakistan clash in New York.
“Before the India vs Pakistan match, we were told there was a threat — something was going on. So, two days before the game, we weren’t allowed to step out of the hotel. The atmosphere started building from there. We were ordering food in, and the hotel was so packed you could barely walk. Fans, media — everyone was there. That’s when you realise this isn’t just another match — something special is about to happen,” Rohit said.
“As soon as we got near the stadium, it already felt like a celebration — Indian fans, Pakistani fans, all dancing and enjoying themselves. I’ve played so many India–Pakistan games now — I’ve lost count — but that pre-match energy, that feeling… It’s always something else. Nothing compares to it,” he added.
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