Rohit Sharma Reflects on India’s Journey from Heartbreak to Glory: “We Decided to Do Something Different”

Veteran Indian batter Rohit Sharma has opened up on India’s remarkable turnaround in recent years, shedding light on the team’s path from heartbreak to triumph under his leadership. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Ratings Awards in Mumbai, Rohit reflected on India’s 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy wins — two milestones that defined his captaincy tenure.

Rohit, who was recently relieved of his duties as India’s ODI captain by the BCCI, credited the team’s collective mindset for their success and lauded the role of former head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended after India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign last year.

“It is not about one year of work or two years of work. We had come so close to winning that trophy many times — like in the 2014 T20 World Cup final against Sri Lanka and the 2016 semi-final versus West Indies — but we couldn’t get over the line,” Rohit said.

“That’s when everyone decided we needed to do something different. One or two players can’t do it alone — you need everyone to buy into the same thought. The team’s unity and mindset made things easier for me and Rahul Dravid while planning for the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.”

With India now entering a new era of leadership, Rohit’s legacy as captain remains decorated. The 38-year-old led India to multiple ICC titles and built one of the most balanced white-ball squads in recent memory.

Rohit will next be seen in action during the upcoming ODI series against Australia, starting October 19.

An undisputed modern-day ODI great, Rohit has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 matches at an impressive average of 48.76 and a strike rate of 92.80, including 32 centuries and 58 fifties.

He also enjoys a stellar record in Australia, where he has scored 1,328 runs in 30 innings at an average of 53.12, with five centuries and four fifties — his best being an unbeaten 171.