New Delhi: Former India captain Rohit Sharma looked back on some of the defining moments that shaped the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup rivalry, describing the 2007 final as his most treasured encounter against the Asian neighbours.Until the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches, Rohit – the ambassador of this edition – featured in every encounter between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. From making his debut as a youngster in 2007 to leading India to memorable victories over Pakistan in 2022 and 2024, his journey in this hotly contested competition has been significant.
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“My favorite match in the T20 World Cup against Pakistan was definitely the final match we played, nothing can beat that.
We went on to win the World Cup,” the ICC quoted Rohit as saying.India and Pakistan faced off twice in the inaugural edition of 2007. Before the summit encounter, one of the group stage matches ended in a draw and was decided by the first ever match in the tournament.“In the same year (2007), we also played a league match against Pakistan, which was the only match in the tournament decided by set-pieces, and we came out on top there as well.
“So in 2007, the two World Cup matches were special,” Rohit recalls.Another memorable chapter unfolded at the MCG during the 2022 T20 World Cup. After being dismissed early, Rohit watched from the sidelines as India cruised to a dramatic win.“Yes, I was in the dressing room. Then I went out, but I got nervous and went back in. When games get that tense, especially when you’re out on the field and you know you can’t do anything, it takes that feeling of control out of you, and I felt helpless.
“You actually feel helpless watching the game unfold when you can’t do anything about it,” Rohit said.Chasing 160, India found themselves in deep trouble at 31/4 before Virat Kohli turned the contest on its head.“Kohli played a blinder there. That was again very special to watch because we were not in a position to win that game, especially after the way we started.“But the way we finished the game was fantastic. It has to be one of the greatest matches of cricket we have ever played – because of the occasion.
It was a World Cup match, it was important for us to win it, and coming back from that made it even more special.Rohit, who retired from T20 Internationals after playing 160 matches, admitted that stress never left him throughout his career – and that feeling kept him motivated.“I have played 160 T20 internationals for India. I can’t remember a single match where I didn’t feel nervous. I was nervous in every match. That feeling gives me nervousness, and I don’t think that as long as I pick up that bat and go out on the field and bowl, that feeling will ever go away. It stays with me. That feeling means you still want to go out there and play the game and give your best,” Rohit concluded.