Rohit Sharma has always been known as a man of calm composure, but behind that serenity lies a fierce determination that has shaped Indian cricket’s modern era. The former India captain, who led the team through its toughest heartbreaks and sweetest triumphs, recently opened up about how those painful defeats became the turning point in India’s journey to back-to-back global titles.
Speaking at event in Mumbai, Rohit Sharma recalled the emotional rollercoaster that defined India’s campaigns over the past decade. He reflected on how the team had come agonisingly close to glory several times, the semi-final losses in the 2015 and 2022 World Cups, the heartbreak in the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 World Test Championship final, and the crushing defeat in the 2023 World Cup final. Each one left a scar, but also sparked something deeper within the team.
Rohit Sharma explained that after so many near-misses, the players realised it wasn’t about talent or tactics, it was about mentality. “We just needed to cross that final line,” he said, adding that the hunger to win grew stronger with every failure. The team began doing things differently, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones, adapting their games, and focusing more on collective success than individual milestones. That shift, Rohit believes, was what finally changed everything.
He spoke with pride about how every member of the squad, even those who didn’t make the playing eleven, played a vital role in India’s eventual triumphs at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. From the dressing room energy to the backroom staff’s tireless efforts, Rohit credited everyone involved. He admitted, “Managing an Indian team is never easy but the way everyone came together made it special.”
Rohit also acknowledged that luck played its part, recalling the unforgettable T20 World Cup final in Barbados, where India pulled off an incredible win from a near-impossible position. He described it as one of the proudest moments of his career, a moment where years of frustration finally turned into fulfillment.
Looking back, Rohit’s words aren’t just about victories, they are about evolution. India’s road to glory was paved with pain, patience, and persistence. And at the heart of it stood a leader who refused to let heartbreak define his team’s story.
He is certainly a gem of a leader, what do you say?
