Former India ODI captain Rohit Sharma opened up about the 2023 World Cup final heartbreak, saying that he contemplated retirement after the loss to Australia. Rohit led India brilliantly from the front during the tournament as the hosts went unbeaten to the final in Ahmedabad. Rohit scored 597 runs in 11 matches during the tournament, with an average of 54.27 and a strike-rate of 125.94.

In the summit clash, they ran into Australia, who executed their plans effectively against a rampant Indian side. India could only muster up 240 runs in their 50 overs, and the target easily chased down by the Aussies with six wickets remaining, on the back of Travis Head's 137 off 120 balls. Speaking at an event, Rohit was asked about his emotions after the loss and how he picked himself up.

The former Indian ODI skipper said that it was a tough moment for him personally, as it was his goal to win a World Cup after becoming captain of the side in 2022.

"Everybody was extremely disappointed, and we just couldn’t believe what had happened. It was a very tough time for me personally because I had put everything into that World Cup not just two or three months before it, but ever since I took over the captaincy in 2022."

"My only goal was to win the World Cup, whether it was the T20 World Cup or the 2023 World Cup. So when it didn’t happen, I was completely devastated. There was no energy left in my body. It took me a couple of months to recover and bring myself back," said Rohit.

'DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY ANYMORE'

Rohit said that while he had to quickly reset for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the sting of the loss was so painful that he felt that he had nothing left to give to the sport.

"I guess when you invest so much into something and don’t achieve the result, it’s a very natural reaction. That’s exactly what happened with me. But I also knew that life doesn’t end there. It was a big lesson for me how to deal with disappointment, reset, and start fresh. I knew that something else was coming the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies and I had to shift all my focus towards that. It’s very easy to say this now, but at that moment, it was extremely difficult."

"At one point, I honestly felt like I didn’t want to play this sport anymore because it had taken everything out of me, and I felt I had nothing left," said Rohit.

Rohit said he was slowly able to regain his motivation to play once again.

"It took some time, a lot of energy, and self-reflection to get back. I kept reminding myself that this is something I truly love, that it was right in front of me, and I couldn’t let it go so easily. Slowly, I found my way back putting in the effort, regaining the energy, and getting myself moving again on the field," said Rohit.

Things turned out well for Rohit as he went on to captain India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, before announcing his retirement from the format.

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