Former India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that India’s loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final was the toughest phase of his career. The veteran batter admitted that he had never experienced such a difficult period in his nearly two-decade-long international career.
Rohit led India to a dominant campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. The Men in Blue won all nine league matches and defeated New Zealand in the semi-final before facing Australia in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
However, India suffered a six-wicket defeat in the summit clash despite entering the match as favourites.
Rohit Sharma said on Family Full show with Rohit Sharma, “That was the toughest phase of my career. From 2007 until now, I have never experienced a period like this. It felt really bad because we were playing so well that it never seemed like we would lose. But that is sport. Just when you think everything is going well, something happens that pushes you down. That is what sport teaches you.”
After the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final, India was able to end their ICC major title hoodoo in the 2024 T20 World Cup under the leadership of Rohit.
He concluded, “Maybe that desperation and hunger would not have been there in the 2024 T20 World Cup if we had not suffered that defeat. I think failure teaches you more than success. For every November 19, there is a June 29.”
India defeated South Africa by seven runs to win their second T20 World Cup title in 2024. The Men in Blue were able to successfully defend their crown in own conditions under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav in 2026.
