Rohit Sharma: 2007 Final Remains Pinnacle of India-Pakistan T20 Rivalry
NEW DELHI – Rohit Sharma, the architect of India’s triumph at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has identified the inaugural 2007 final as his most cherished battle in the storied history of India-Pakistan cricket. In a candid reflection on his career, the former T20I captain also detailed the intense emotional toll of the 2022 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The 2007 Johannesburg Classic
Despite a career spanning nearly two decades, Rohit singled out the 2007 title decider in Johannesburg as the zenith of his encounters with the arch-rivals. MS Dhoni’s young brigade defeated Pakistan by five runs to lift the inaugural trophy, a moment that revolutionized cricket in India.
“My favorite T20 World Cup match against Pakistan was definitely the final we played; nothing can beat that. We went on to win the World Cup,” Rohit told the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Rohit also recalled the group stage encounter earlier in that same tournament, which resulted in a tie and was decided by a bowl-out—a method used prior to the introduction of the Super Over.
“In that same year, we also played a league game against Pakistan, which was the only match in the tournament decided by a bowl-out, and we came out on top there as well. So in 2007, both World Cup games were special,” he added.
The 2022 MCG Thriller: ‘I Felt Helpless’
While the 2007 final brings fond memories of victory, the 2022 T20 World Cup group stage match at the MCG evoked a different emotional response. Chasing 160 for victory, India slumped to 31/4 against a ferocious Pakistani pace attack. Rohit, dismissed early for 4 runs, watched from the dressing room as Virat Kohli engineered a miraculous recovery with an unbeaten 82.
“I was in the dressing room. Then I came out, but I got nervous and went back inside,” Rohit admitted. “When games are this tight, especially when you’re off the field and know you can’t do anything, it just takes that sense of control away from you, and I felt helpless.”
Match Statistics: India vs. Pakistan (2022 T20 WC)
| Statistic | Pakistan | India |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 159/8 (20 overs) | 160/6 (20 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Shan Masood (52) | Virat Kohli (82*) |
| Top Bowler | Haris Rauf (2/36) | Hardik Pandya (3/30) |
| Result | India won by 4 wickets (last ball finish) | |
Rohit described the finish as magnificent, crediting the magnitude of the occasion for elevating the match’s status in cricket history.
“It has to be one of the greatest cricket games we’ve ever played—because of the occasion. It was a World Cup game, an important one for us to win, and to come back from that situation made it even more special,” said the skipper.
End of an Era: Retirement and Nervousness
Following India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format. He leaves the international T20 arena as the format’s highest run-scorer, with 4,231 runs in 159 matches. Despite his vast experience, he revealed that pre-match anxiety was a constant companion.
“I’ve played 160 T20 Internationals for India. I don’t remember a single game where I wasn’t nervous,” Rohit stated. “I don’t think that as long as I’m holding this bat… that feeling will ever go away. It stays with me. And that feeling means you still want to go out there, play the game, and give your best.”
For comprehensive statistics on the rivalry, visit ESPNcricinfo.