India’s impressive performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, held on home soil, saw them triumph in all 10 matches leading up to the final showdown against Australia on November 19.
Despite their stellar run, India’s dream was shattered in the final stage, with Australia securing their sixth World Cup title in Ahmedabad.
Quick Return to the Field
With little time to process the loss, the Men in Blue were back on the field just four days post the finale. They engaged in a five-match T20I series against Australia, followed by the ongoing all-format tour of South Africa.
Rohit Sharma’s Break and Reflection
Amidst the whirlwind of events, Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, took a well-earned break. He opted out of the white-ball series against Australia and South Africa, and also stepped away from public attention. More than three weeks post the final, Sharma broke his silence on social media, expressing his feelings about missing out on the coveted cricket trophy.
“The first few days were tough. I was at a loss about how to bounce back,” Sharma revealed in a social media video. “My family and friends were my pillars of support, keeping things light around me, which was immensely helpful.”
Dealing with Disappointment
Sharma admitted that the loss was hard to swallow. “Growing up, the 50-over World Cup was the ultimate prize for me. We’ve worked for years for this World Cup, and not achieving what we’ve dreamt of is disappointing and frustrating,” he said.
Proud of the Team’s Performance
Despite the setback, Sharma expressed immense pride in the team’s performance leading up to the final, including a 10-match unbeaten streak. He lauded the efforts of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, who contributed significantly with their batting. He also praised the bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, who took 20 and 24 wickets respectively, a first for India in a single World Cup edition.
The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav also received commendation for their role in the middle overs, rounding off a team effort that propelled India to the final.
Appreciation for Fan Support
Sharma also expressed gratitude to the fans who supported the team throughout the World Cup and in the aftermath of the defeat. “Their support provided me with the motivation to guide India to future glory,” he said.
Looking Forward to Future Challenges
Rohit Sharma is set to return to the field to lead India in the World Test Championship series against South Africa, starting with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. Currently, India holds the second position in the WTC25 standings with a 66.67-point percentage, while South Africa is yet to play a game in the current cycle.