June 29, 2024, is a day that will be etched in the minds and hearts of every ardent Indian cricket fan. On this day, India lifted the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time since 2007 by beating South Africa in an epic thriller. In a showdown where it all seemed to be getting out of hand, Rohit Shama & Co. scripted a miraculous comeback to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Years of sorrow and heartbreak were finally put to rest as India clinched their maiden ICC title since 2013. 

To relive this glorious moment, the former Indian skipper posted a heartwarming video on his Twitter (Now X) account that has instantly won many hearts. Rohit himself was the center of attraction in that video, where he was heard saying that he was proud to have achieved something special. Besides, sporadic visuals of other cricketing icons such as Kohli, Axar, and Bumrah also surfaced from the video. 

See also: WATCH: Rohit Sharma spotted vacationing in Italy with wife Ritika Sajdeh amid India vs England Test series

Watch the video:

Instagram post of Captain Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma tried his best to include everyone in the video, but saar saar he is insecure.

pic.twitter.com/6bYlTq0PwC

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) June 29, 2025

India managed to remain unbeaten in that tournament and won all their games, including the final against South Africa. It was a terrific turnaround for the Men in Blue and a massive moment for the country. Not long ago, India faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 in their backyard. But Rohit's 'never-back-down' attitude helped India rise from the ashes and quash the knockout jinx once and for all.

India and South Africa locked horns in a high-voltage final in Bridgetown, Barbados. Both teams entered the final on the back of an unbeaten winning streak. The epic final saw a lot of fascinating moments. From Kohli's crucial fifty (albeit at a slower rate) to Suryakumar Yadav's match-winning catch, the match had everyone on the edge of their seats. 

Moreover, Bumrah's match-defining over, where he picked up two crucial wickets inside an over, probably proved to be a turning point in the game. With only 30 runs needed in the final five overs, no one would have anticipated India to make such a daring comeback. Bumrah emerged as a true hero in such a dire time and concluded the tournament as the highest wicket-taker maintaining an economy rate of less than 4.5 RPO.

In his cricket career, Rohit Sharma has had several memorable experiences, but nothing, he claims, has ever come close to winning the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy. This victory meant everything after years of seeking an ICC crown and tragically coming close in past editions. It was more than simply a cricket accomplishment for him to lead India to victory and grasp that trophy in his hands; it was a personal one.

Only Rohit could have handled the pressure, expectations, and weight of the tournament with such composure. He motivated the team rather than merely leading it.From setting the tone with the bat to backing his players in crunch moments, Rohit looked like a man on a mission. And when the final was done, and India had won, it felt like a moment the whole country had been waiting for but especially him.

Speaking after the match, Rohit said, “It was by far the best moment of my life and my cricketing career to lift the trophy.” Simple words, but packed with everything he’s gone through — the ups, the doubts, the near misses, and finally, the dream coming true.
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Saying Goodbye the Right Way: Rohit Sharma Ends His T20I Journey with a World Cup in Hand

Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is right after the win, going out on the biggest possible high. It felt right. He had done everything he needed to in the format, and this was the perfect ending. Walking off the field with the trophy in his hands, he left behind a legacy of calm, class, and leadership.

This wasn’t just a win — it was a send-off fit for a giant of the game. For fans, it was emotional. For Rohit, it was closure. And for Indian cricket, it marked the end of an era — one that will be remembered for years because of moments like this.

Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma recently opened up about a light-hearted moment during the toss of the high-stakes T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in New York. Speaking a year after India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, the 38-year-old Sharma was momentarily distracted by the electrifying atmosphere and presence of Ravi Shastri that he forgot he had the coin in his pocket.

During the toss, Rohit, in his characteristic nonchalant fashion, appeared visibly confused when he was asked to toss the coin. When Ravi Shastri, who was conducting the toss proceedings, asked him to toss the coin, Rohit started searching left and right, momentarily looking towards the match referee for guidance. It was then that Pakistan captain Babar Azam cheekily reminded Rohit that the coin was in his pocket, leaving the Indian captain with a sheepish grin. The moment sparked laughter all around before both captains regained focus.

Recalling the humorous incident in a chat with Star Sports, Rohit said, “I’ll tell you what is happening. Look at him. In the blue, it’s Rohit Sharma ready to punch. In the green, it’s ready to counterpunch. Yeh sab cheez wahan pe ho raha hai, toh obviously it’s fun. In the middle of everything, Ravi Shastri’s energy and everything, I forgot coin mere paas hee hai.”

Rohit’s memorable tournament and farewell to T20Is

Rohit Sharma enjoyed a successful individual campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup, finishing as the second-highest run-getter with 257 runs in eight innings at an average of 36.71. His standout performance came against Australia, where he smashed a brilliant 92 to set up a vital win in the Super 8s.

Watch the video here

Rohit Sharma talking about he forget the coin during the toss against Pakistan in T20 WC. 😀❤️pic.twitter.com/LstArbD5cP

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 25, 2025

See Also: 'I made lots of mistakes...''—Prithvi Shaw reflects on setbacks faced in his short cricketing career

Although Rohit did not have a significant impact on the final against South Africa, Rohit's leadership helped India to keep calm in a dramatic seven-run win to win their second T20 World Cup title. Following the historic triumph, Rohit announced his retirement from T20I cricket, bowing out on a high after a stellar career.

Rohit Sharma's on-field brilliance has done wonders for Indian cricket in recent years. Apart from his batting prowess, which has brought continued entertainment to his fan base, Rohit's tactical brilliance has powered the national side to some miraculous wins in ICC events, the most famous of which came against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. 

In a recent discussion with JioHotsar, the former Indian skipper offered some interesting insights on how his bowlers went about defending a low score of 120. India were bowled out for a shocking 119 in the first innings on a difficult batting surface, which many experts believed to be two-paced. While India's imminent defeat seemed highly probable, Rohit and his men refused to give up. 

The 38-year-old explained how he took the pitch out of the equation to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. At the time, Rohit was aware of the surface's sluggish nature and wanted Pakistan to chase. Everything seemed to be falling in place for him. Furthermore, he added that he had immense faith in his prime bowlers - Arshdeep and Bumrah to come good in this low-scoring thriller. 

See also: Rohit Sharma posts "Forever grateful" as he completes 18 years for India

Watch the video:

Rohit Sharma on defending 120 Vs Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup. 🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/VPlyepWZfi

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 26, 2025

As fate would have it, India successfully managed to pull the Green Shirts back from a commanding position. Pakistan seemed to be cruising to victory at 57-1 at the halfway stage. But the departure of Usman Khan offered a slim window of opportunity to make a daring comeback. Pakistan kept losing wickets thereafter as Bumrah accounted for three wickets while going at less than 4 RPO. 

During the middle phase of the run chase, the runs had virtually dried up, and the Pakistani lower order, featuring the likes of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, struggled to break from the shackles. In the end, the target got too big for Pakistan as they required 18 off the final over. Arshdeep applied the finishing touches by successfully defending 18 in that over despite taking a few blows from Naseem Shah. 

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India remained unbeaten in that tournament and eventually triumphed in the T20 WC Final against South Africa, thus ending a 11-year-long ICC title drought. 

Dwayne Bravo recently requested the USA Cricket Board to include Unmukt Chand in the USA national side. He stated that the former India Under-19 World Cup-winning captain shouldn't be victimised due to politics.

The 32-year-old left India for the USA in the hope of getting playing opportunities in the USA national team. Since moving to the USA, Unmukt Chand has so far not made his debut for the USA national team and has been overlooked by the selectors, which is surprising.

Unmukt Chand is currently playing for the Los Angeles Knight Riders team in the Major League Cricket (MLC). Currently, Bravo is the head coach of the Los Angeles team. He stated in his Instagram post: "This guy needs to be in the USA cricket team! Cricket is bigger than politics; let's do right for these players. Well done!."

Bravo commented on Unmukt Chand after the right-hander scored a brilliant 86 in 56 balls against Seattle Orcas on the 22nd of June during the MLC game. The right-hander has looked in decent form during the 2025 MLC season so far, scoring 161 runs in 4 innings with a strike rate of 134.16.

See Also: MLC 2025: Points Table, leading run scorers and wicket takers after NY vs SF Match 14

Unmukt Chand on his exclusion from the USA national team during the 2024 T20 World Cup

The 32-year-old stated that he was surprised after not being included in the USA team for the T20 World Cup. The right-hander had stated (through Cricbuzz) in a press conference last year that he had worked hard for the last 3 years for the mega event. Unmukt Chand also played for Mumbai Indians in the 2015 IPL season helping the team win the trophy, scoring 300 runs in 15 games.

"That wasn't an ideal situation to be in. Because personally, for me, this was what I had dreamed of for the last three years. Obviously, it was a big shock. And it took me time to sort of come to terms with it. It's never easy as a player, having lost all these things back home in India, to having this one goal, which had kept me going for the last three years not happening. So it is difficult. I won't say which just happened. But it was difficult. I was not my best self for some time," Chand said.

Payment disputes hit Oman cricket hard as players make their way out of the country to seek a better cricketing future for themselves. In a shocking development, it is understood that the national cricketing board has categorically refused to distribute a prize money of US$ 225,000 amongst the players. This amount was set aside by the International Cricket Council ICC for all teams finishing between 13th and 20th rank.  

This decision from the board has left the players extremely left out. A year ago, in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, Oman were living a dream playing alongside the likes of high-quality sides such as Australia and England. Although Oman could not achieve anything of major significance, being presented with an opportunity to compete with some of the best in the business helped them enhance their cricketing horizons.

But following their promising run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, some of the notable players, including the captain Kashyap Prajapati, have moved overseas, trying to seek a better fortune for themselves. He is not the only player who has fallen out of favor with the board due to payment disputes. Almost the entire Oman squad that took part in that World Cup tournament is no longer part of the current set-up.  

See also: Another Indian World Cup winner bids adieu to International cricket

Prajapati opens up on payment dispute fiasco

While speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Prajapati found this entire issue to be worrisome and revealed the consequences the entire team has to face due to non-payment. He further asks why the ICC is not able to intervene and come up with a permanent fix to this problem.

"Our lives have been upended over this issue; we've lost our spot in the team, our contracts have been torn up, and we have been forced to leave the country. It's just so confusing and we don't understand why the ICC isn't able to ensure we get paid the prize money we have earned, and why there isn't a safe space for us to raise concerns?"

Oman Cricket's refusal to pay the prize money to its members may have dire consequences for the future of cricket in that country. It can fuel mistrust and a lack of transparency between the board and its players, ultimately leading to a poor reputation for the governing body worldwide. 

Under ICC's regulations, all prize money is required to be distributed to the team through the member boards within 21 days following the conclusion of the event. The ICC has formally indicated that the prize money was disbursed to Oman Cricket. However, those funds have not yet been transferred to the players. Attempts were made by the players to engage with the board on this matter following Oman's exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Sadly, those conversations proved futile as they did not lead the players to a desirable outcome. 

Indian cricket fans had an amazing surprise when the captain of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma, who is also a top batter, gave an exclusive interview for a very popular talk show, Charcha. The Hitman, whose casual batting and calm nature are well known, talked about his life and career, explained his difficulties, and gave his thoughts on the future of cricket in India.

Through his address, Rohit was accepting the massive responsibility that was standing in front of him as the captain of India in all the formats and letting the crowd know that he knew. He was also highlighting how it is of utmost significance to get trust and teamwork in the dressing room.

“It is no longer about the individual aspect only. First of all, I, being a leader, would like to be that one who makes my players comfortable in the field their way. The intention here is to bring out the best in each one," Rohit pointed out.

During the T20 World Cup windows’ buildup, Rohit's poignant tak e understandably engaged fans waiting for more from him in India's preparations. In his reply, he said that the team was indeed working hard to be a better team following the mistakes in the past.

“Our 2024 T20 World Cup team is a very good one that has a mix of players who are experienced and those with young talents. All we need to do is to play fearlessly and be our best," was his response.

ROHIT SHARMA SPECIAL INTERVIEW...!!!

- A must watch for every cricket fan 💙 pic.twitter.com/xr6nWOQU3S

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 29, 2025

Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli and Khaleel Ahmed fighting after the CSK vs RCB match video goes viral

Rohit, as a real son of the city of Mumbai, talked with great love about his participation in the IPL cricket league and the Mumbai team he was in. His term as a captain brought them too many successes, and, in return, he paid his dues to the franchise as well as to its fans.

“IPL has been a great source of learning for me both as a player and a captain. The Mumbai Indians team is like a family, and the supporters have just been outstanding,” he said thoughtfully.

He explained to us the way he doesn't allow the game to overtake his life in a playful manner, esp. when it comes to his daughter Samaira and wife. Obviously, "spending time with family is something that I enjoy. Despite the most intense atmosphere on the ground, getting back to them for peace remains my bigger mission," he said quite excitedly.

Also Read: IPL 2025 SRH vs DC : player battles to watch out

One of the key things that he wants youngsters who are trying to become cricketers to know is that doing a lot of "hard work and being patient are the only ways they can become successful players. They should understand the game, follow the process, and always be open to learning new things,” Rohit said.

In no uncertain terms, at the end of the interview, it became pretty clear that Rohit Sharma will be remembered as one of the most beloved and respected cricketers in the world. His spirit, leadership, and love for the game couldn't be stopped, and his fans are numerous and spread everywhere in the world.

A famous Pakistani cricketer has come under criticism for failing to pay for three cricket bats he bought at a New Jersey shop during the recently concluded T20 World Cup last year. The identity of the player is unclear. However, it is likely to be a well-known Pakistan batter. Babar Azam, Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhr Zaman were all on that Pakistan squad, and Waheed could be talking about them.

This claim surfaced after Waheed Khan, an experienced sports journalist, discussed the incident as the store owner is still awaiting payment. Although the store owner has made numerous attempts to reach the player who visited the store, there was no response.

The cricketer came to the shop before a crucial T20 World Cup game, chose three expensive bats to be purchased, and indicated they would return in the future to settle the payment. This related to the fact that it has now been months without a payment. ''I trusted him because of his name, but after a few days he is not answering my calls," the store owner said. “And I'm not susceptible to answering the door or trying another time that I couldn’t reach him.” 

This revelation has sparked discussions among cricket fans and followers; some have criticized the player for his failure to acknowledge the nature of retribution. Others have thought it to be a miscommunication.

A popular Pakistan player brought three bats from a cricket store owner in New Jersey during last year’s World Cup. The poor chap delivered the bats himself to the player in New York. The owner is still waiting for his payments and the player is not responding to his calls. V Sad

— WaheedKhankisaafseedhibaat (@WaheedKhancc) March 21, 2025

Also Read: IPL 18 Opening Ceremony: A Grand Celebration Minute by Minute

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board cricket board has not officially commented on this matter. If these revelations are accurate, it may question the morals and professionalism of all players in the international arena. We do not know yet whether the player will respond to the allegations, and we also do not know if the owner of the shop will escalate the matter legally. As this story develops, professional cricketers and journalists will no doubt be watching the developments very closely.

For now, the shop owner continues on, waiting for the cricketer to finally resolve the situation and bring an end to the controversy. 

Hardik Pandya had a year full of ups and downs in 2024 ipl. He went from being booed during the last IPL season to helping India win the T20 World Cup in Barbados all in just a few months. Now, after also winning the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, the all-rounder Hardik Pandya has finally shared his thoughts on the tough times he faced last year in IPL 2024.

Hardik Pandya had a rough time during the last IPL season after becoming Mumbai Indians' captain in place of Rohit Sharma. Many fans weren’t happy with the Captaincy change, and every time Hardik stepped onto the field, he was met with boos. Even at Wankhede Stadium, Hardik Pandya didn’t get much love from the home crowd. During Mumbai Indians’ first match in Mumbai, fans booed him non-stop, so much so that former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar had to ask them to "behave."

It was a tough season for Mumbai Indians, who finished last on the points table. Hardik himself struggled, managing only 216 runs with the bat and 11 wickets with the ball. But just two months later, everything changed. When he returned to Mumbai after India’s T20 World Cup win in Barbados, the same city that once booed him welcomed him with cheers. In the final against South Africa, Hardik bowled the last over, and the rest is history India finally broke their ICC title drought on June 29, 2024.

Hardik Pandya talking about his Journey from IPL 2024 to winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.

- AN INSPIRING JOURNEY OF HARDIK..!!!! 🫡pic.twitter.com/YrM3hgwhSn

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 16, 2025

"It's all about not giving up, no matter how tough things get. For me, it wasn’t about winning—it was just about hanging in there. That year was one of the hardest, and I had to keep going without backing down. I realized that no matter what was happening around me, cricket would always be my best friend and the thing that would help me get through it," Hardik Pandya said during an episode of JioStar's Superstars.

ALSO READ: Shardul Thakur stuns with big speculation on IPL 2025 return

"I just kept going, kept pushing myself. Honestly, I could never have imagined things turning out the way they did. Those six months were a crazy ride—winning the World Cup, coming back home, and feeling the love from everyone again. It was a complete turnaround for me. I always believed that if I stayed patient, worked hard, and remained true to my game, I would get through it. I just didn’t know when. But in the end, things fell into place, and in just two and a half months, everything changed," he said.

"This year, our goal was to add experience. If you look at our squad, you’ll see we wanted a strong, experienced bowling attack. Wankhede is a challenging venue, and playing IPL matches there can be quite intimidating," Hardik said.

The IPL 2024 season will start on March 22 with KKR taking on RCB. Mumbai Indians will play their first match on March 23 against their biggest rivals, Chennai Super Kings, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Indian cricket fans will never forget the final over of the 2024 ICC T20 World  Cup, it was so heart stopping. In the final over, with South Africa needing 16 runs to  win, David Miller, their most destructive batter, was on the crease. It was tense. And then there was the catch, the incredible grab by Suryakumar Yadav at the  boundary, a moment that sealed India’s victory and their second T20 World Cup title, after 17  long years.        

Suryakumar Yadav on His Match-Winning Catch: “I Watch  It Every Hour”

In his words: How he feels about his game changing moment,  Suryakumar Yadav opened up on.

“I watch it every hour. I get a lot of chances to  use my phone and I watch it a lot of times and I am very grateful.”

This statement shows  how much the significance of his catch is not only to him but to millions of Indian cricket fans who  watched history being created.

Also See : Varanasi Fans Perform Aarti and Pray for Team India’s Victory in Champions Trophy Final

The Game-Changing Catch

The turning point moment occurred in the last over bowled by Hardik Pandya. David Miller, who has a reputation of winning games for his team, smashed a massive shot in the direction of long-off. For a brief moment, Indian hearts stopped beating. But then suddenly, Suryakumar Yadav judged the jump to perfection, caught the ball, and kept himself inside the boundary rope—giving India a dismissal that shattered the dreams of South Africa.

India went on to win the final seven runs, courtesy of exceptional death bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Pandya, but Suryakumar's catch was the standout moment that will be remembered.

The Power of Fitness and Reflexes

That one spectacular catch didn't come through luck-it was a product of intense fitness practice and quick reflexes. The speed, quickness, and accuracy of Suryakumar Yadav bespeak the superlative state of fitness which contemporary cricketers enjoy. From grueling exercise routines to specific field practice, players pump in lots of money into the fitness regimen just to achieve something like that on the field. 

Social Media Buzz and Fan Engagement

In the digital age, sensational sporting moments don't remain on the pitch-they burst on the internet. Yadav's catch went viral the moment it happened, with millions of fans posting, debating, and rejoicing over it on social media. Such moments enable cricketers to establish their brand, grow fan base, and make the sport even more exciting for global viewers.

Also See : Varanasi Fans Perform Aarti and Pray for Team India’s Victory in Champions Trophy Final