“Couldn’t Feel My Legs, Didn’t Sleep All Night”: Rohit Recalls Nerves Before 2024 T20 World Cup Final

Rohit Sharma has opened up about India’s historic ICC T20 World Cup 2024 victory, calling it the “best moment” of his life and reflecting on the emotional journey that culminated in lifting the coveted trophy in Barbados. The Indian captain also discussed the significance of defeating Australia en route to the title, especially after the heartbreak in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

On June 29, 2024, India ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy by clinching the T20 World Cup title with a tense seven-run win over South Africa at Kensington Oval. The win marked Rohit’s second T20 World Cup title — the first as captain — and served as a powerful response to their loss in the 2023 ODI final, where Australia ended India’s dream run.

Speaking on JioHotstar’s Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se, Rohit recalled the pressure before the final. “I did not sleep the whole night. I couldn’t feel my legs and kept thinking about the result. I just walked to the ground sipping coffee, not talking to anyone,” he said.

The final saw India in early trouble at 34/3 after electing to bat first. “I was panicking,” Rohit admitted. “But then came Virat.” Rohit praised Kohli’s composed 76 off 59 balls, calling it a clutch knock that steadied the innings. Axar Patel’s aggressive 47 (31 balls) and Shivam Dube’s late burst (27 off 16) took India to a competitive 176/7. Rohit hailed Axar’s knock as a “game-changer” and Kohli’s intent as a sign of elite experience: “If you hit three boundaries in the first over, then you’ve started well… He was in the zone.”

Every over in the final, Rohit said, told its own story. He described Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery to dismiss Reeza Hendricks as “a peach” and Hardik Pandya’s crucial dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen — the game’s turning point — as the “ideal T20 ball.” He explained, “Perfectly pitched, wide, not too short or full. You couldn’t hit it for four or six.”

A key moment came in the final over when Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a breathtaking catch at the boundary to dismiss David Miller, sealing the match. “I thought it was a six,” Rohit admitted. “Everyone’s heart stopped. But Surya managed it brilliantly. That moment, it felt like the game turned.”

South Africa fell short at 169/8. Rohit summed up the title as the pinnacle of his cricketing life: “We had experienced heartbreak before. That’s what made this win so special. We planned, we worked hard. And when it happened, everyone’s emotions just poured out.”

Beyond the final, Rohit also reflected on India’s vital Super Eight clash against Australia, who had defeated them in the ODI World Cup final the previous year. In that match, played on June 24, 2024, Rohit unleashed a brutal counterattack, smashing 92 off 41 balls with eight sixes and seven fours. India went on to win by 24 runs, knocking Australia out of the tournament.

“Australia had ruined our November 19,” Rohit said. “So we wanted to return the favour. That conversation happened in the dressing room. We knew if we won, they were out.”

He added that the innings was fueled by a desire for redemption. “All I had in mind was to attack every Australian bowler. I had to score, I had to perform — not just for me, but for the team and the country.”