NEW DELHI: Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma candidly reflected on India’s heartbreaking loss against Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final.
Speaking on ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show‘ alongside Shreyas Iyer, Rohit shared his initial fears of disappointment but was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support and appreciation from fans despite the defeat.
Recalling the title clash, Rohit revealed the team’s confidence after a 10-match winning streak, feeling almost on “autopilot” mode. Despite a valiant effort, India fell short against a resilient Australian side.
He said, “Two days before the match, our team was in Ahmedabad and we did our practice. The team had maintained a good momentum. As if the team was on autopilot. When the match began, we started good. Shubman Gill got out quickly but then Virat Kohli and I had a partnership. We were confident we could achieve a good score. I feel that in big matches, if you are able to score runs and create pressure on the opposite team, it is good as any team can slip under pressure. But Australia played good cricket. We even managed to take three wickets for just around 40 runs but they had a long partnership after that.”
Speaking on ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show‘ alongside Shreyas Iyer, Rohit shared his initial fears of disappointment but was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support and appreciation from fans despite the defeat.
Recalling the title clash, Rohit revealed the team’s confidence after a 10-match winning streak, feeling almost on “autopilot” mode. Despite a valiant effort, India fell short against a resilient Australian side.
He said, “Two days before the match, our team was in Ahmedabad and we did our practice. The team had maintained a good momentum. As if the team was on autopilot. When the match began, we started good. Shubman Gill got out quickly but then Virat Kohli and I had a partnership. We were confident we could achieve a good score. I feel that in big matches, if you are able to score runs and create pressure on the opposite team, it is good as any team can slip under pressure. But Australia played good cricket. We even managed to take three wickets for just around 40 runs but they had a long partnership after that.”
However, Rohit expressed gratitude for the positive response from fans, stating, “I was thinking that the World Cup took place in our country but still we could not win. I felt the nation might be angry with us. But I only heard people praising how well we played, and how they enjoyed watching that cricket.”
Despite the loss, Rohit’s leadership and stellar performances from Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and others garnered widespread acclaim. The crushing defeat may have left a bitter taste, but Rohit’s appreciation for fans’ unwavering support remains a testament to India’s cricketing spirit.
(Inputs from ANI)
