"We’ve seen a lot of setbacks" - Rohit Sharma on emotional Virat Kohli hug after T20 World Cup 2024 win

Former Team India opener Rohit Sharma opened up about the team’s 2024 T20 World Cup win and the emotional moment he shared with Virat Kohli after the final. The 38-year-old cricketer said that the ICC trophy victory in Barbados carried the weight of years of near misses and heartbreaks at major tournaments.

Rohit is preparing for the ICC 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, and he will likely be joined by Virat Kohli. The two legends have shared several memorable runs in ICC white-ball tournaments, but the one title they have never won together is the ODI World Cup, a gap they will hope to close in their final campaign.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Target 2027 ODI World Cup

India suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have since set their sights on the 2027 edition, determined to secure the trophy. Both are preparing with extra focus and are fully committed to the challenge.

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Kohli scored 302 runs in the three-match series against South Africa, while Rohit scored freely in Australia and continued that momentum against the Proteas. Virat won the Player of the Series award in Australia, while Rohit earned the honour against South Africa.

Rohit and Kohli have faced many highs and lows together. The long wait for an ICC trophy finally ended with the 2024 T20 World Cup win, and now they hope to lift the ODI World Cup title still missing from their shared legacy.

Rohit Sharma Opens Up on Emotional Virat Kohli Hug After T20 World Cup 2024 Win

India’s T20 World Cup win in 2024 became an emotional milestone for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who played their final T20I in that match. They shared a heartfelt hug after years of pressure, expectations, and disappointments on the big stage.

Rohit said that as the senior figures in the squad, he and Kohli had spent their entire careers side by side, facing multiple setbacks in past World Cups. He added that their long journey together made the triumph feel even more special to both of them.

"There was so much riding on both of us to take the team through. Not that the other guys weren’t keen or hungry enough,” Rohit said while speaking to the ICC.

"But being – I don’t like to say that word – the two senior-most in that squad, we had played a lot of cricket together, except IPL. When he came into the team, I was only a year into my career. So, literally, we did everything together. And we have seen a lot of setbacks as well, with the World Cups," he added.

Both of Us Knew It Was Our Last World Cup - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma made it clear that his focus has already shifted to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. He hinted that his World Cup journey isn’t over yet and that the 2027 edition is now in his plans.

“Both of us knew that it was our last World Cup. Last T20 World Cup. So that made it even more special,” Rohit added.

Rohit will be 40 by the time of the 2027 ODI World Cup, with Virat not far behind, but age isn’t changing their plans. Both play only in ODIs and the IPL now, which puts far fewer demands on their bodies compared to earlier years. This gives them plenty of time to rest, train, and manage their fitness carefully.

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