'If we had won 2023 World Cup...': Rohit Sharma reveals all about India's success in ICC events
Published - 29 Mar 2025, 04:23 PM | Updated - 29 Mar 2025, 04:56 PM
Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Rohit Sharma has opened up about the India national cricket team's success in ICC tournaments. The 37-year-old admitted that their approach changed following their semi-final loss against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup in his first ICC tournament as Indian captain.
India's performance in the last three ICC tournaments has been impressive. Team India has won 22 out of the 23 matches they've played in these events. The only loss came in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup against Australia. India won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy unbeaten.
It Started Literally Way Back in 2022 - Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma said that their semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup became a key turning point. Sharma added that the team made their expectations clear and set out a new approach for how they wanted to play. He pointed out that the team stuck to their plan without panicking.
"It started literally way back in 2022 when we played that World Cup in Australia. Although we didn't go on to win the finals, we didn't qualify for the finals," Rohit said in an interview with Mumbai Indians.
"We lost the semis. But thereafter, I think we made a lot of things very clear with the players that this is what we expect from you, and this is how we want you to play."
"So there was a lot of clarity and conversations with the player. To perform, there needs to be a lot of freedom amongst the group so they can go and play without fear. There were a few lows and a few series that we lost, but we never panicked, and we never went away from our thought process," he added.
We Had Some Really Tough Times as Well - Rohit Sharma
Rohit also said that winning the 2023 ODI World Cup final would have been a monumental achievement. Sharma also added that the team's success should be celebrated, as they truly earned it through their perseverance.
"Imagine if we would have won the 2023 ODI World Cup final. To go undefeated in three ICC tournaments is crazy, never heard of. But I will take this: 22 wins in 23 games is unheard of. Again, when you see this in 22 wins out of 23 games, it looks very nice from the outside."
"But the team has gone through a lot of ups and downs. We had some really tough times as well, but that is when you got to celebrate. When you do things like this, you have to celebrate, and you deserve everything there, " Rohit said.
Rohit Sharma Set to Return to Action Against Gujarat Titans
Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the points table in IPL 2024. The decision to hand Hardik Pandya the captaincy sparked controversy, particularly among Rohit Sharma's fans, who were unhappy with the leadership change. Hardik faced constant booing at most of the venues MI played in the 2024 season.
He was dismissed for a duck in the IPL 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings. He will now be aiming to bounce back and make a significant impact in the upcoming match against Gujarat Titans on Saturday, March 29.
Notably, Rohit had retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to victory in the World Cup in Barbados, where they defeated South Africa in the final.
Also read: "I'm Not The Captain"- Rohit Sharma when asked about Mumbai Indians
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