India's Rohit Sharma Credits Barbados as Lucky Charm Following T20 World Cup Victory

Rohit Sharma Hails Barbados as India's Lucky Ground After T20 World Cup Triumph

NEW DELHI: Reflecting on India's victorious campaign at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma fondly remembers the significance of Barbados. "It's the pitch where everything happened! Barbados will forever be in my veins," he declared on JioHotstar’s special "Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se."

One year ago, India ended a 17-year wait by clinching the T20 World Cup, triumphing over South Africa in a thrilling final at Kensington Oval. The match, a nail-biting affair that extended to the final over, saw India maintaining composure to secure the title.

The victory was the result of an unblemished campaign. India remained undefeated, displaying dominance, character, and resilience.

A particularly memorable moment was the intense clash between 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.”

In a tense, low-scoring match, India managed to edge out Pakistan by six runs. Jasprit Bumrah's outstanding performance, taking 3 wickets for 14 runs, earned him the Player of the Match award.

Despite an early batting collapse, with the quick loss of Kohli, Rohit, and Axar, Rishabh Pant's aggressive 42 off 31 balls steadied the innings, helping India reach a total of 119.

“On that pitch, his 42 was like scoring 70,” Rohit noted. “We knew 140 was par, but with our bowlers, even 119 could work.”

Rohit praised Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh for their flawless execution. “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 electrifying atmosphere of the India-Pakistan match to the tense final in Barbados, Rohit's reflections serve as a tribute to the team that created unforgettable memories for the nation.