Rohit Sharma thanks his 'three pillars' for India's T20 World Cup victory

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, attending the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards, opened up about India’s historic win of the T20 World Cup. The World Cup win by India earlier this year ended the team’s 11-year drought of an ICC Trophy. The Men in Blue last won an ICC Trophy back in 2013 when the MS Dhoni-led team triumphed in the 2013 Champions Trophy against England. Cut to 2024, Rohit Sharma led India to their second T20 World Cup win after their victory in the inaugural season in 2007. Talking about the win, the now-retired T20I skipper credited the ‘three pillars’ who pushed them to the victorious conclusion.

Rohit Sharma thanks Jay Shah, Rahul Dravid, and Ajit Agarkar for T20 World Cup win

Team India beat South Africa in Barbados in a nail-biting encounter to finally put an end to their wait for an ICC Trophy. The T20 World Cup win put the Indian fans at ease after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India fell short against Australia. Winning the Men’s International Cricketer of the Year at the CEAT awards on Wednesday, Rohit Sharma reflected on the marquee tournament and the team’s winning performance. The skipper also addressed the BCCI secretary Jay Shah, head coach Rahul Dravid, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar as the ‘three pillars’ behind India’s win.

“It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much,” Rohit said as he won the accolade. "That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are actually Mr. Jay Shah, Mr. Rahul Dravid, (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar,” he said. “That was very critical for me to do what I did and obviously not to forget the players, who came in at different points in time and helped the team to achieve what we achieved,” he added.

🚨 CAPTAIN ROHIT SHARMA 🚨

- Rohit Sharma won the CEAT Men's International cricketer of the year award. 👏 pic.twitter.com/lZBBxUzEWL

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 21, 2024

India's winning performance on 29th June, 2024, was celebrated across the nation by fans who had waited for 17 long years for the T20 World Cup trophy. The team, upon their arrival in India, joined the victory parade hosted in Mumbai, which culminated in a celebration at Wankhede Stadium. The passionate cricket fans turned up in numbers as the players celebrated the victory. Talking about the winning moment, Sharma termed it an incomparable feeling as he went on to explain what it meant for the team and the fans.

“(It was) a feeling that cannot come every day. It was something that we were really hoping for. When we won the World Cup, it was important for all of us to enjoy the moment, which we did pretty well, and thanks to our nation as well for celebrating with us,” Rohit said.

“As much as it meant for us, it meant a whole lot to the entire nation as well. It felt really great to bring it (the trophy) back home here and celebrate with everyone.” “(It is a) fantastic feeling that can never be put into words. I don't think it's a feeling that can be expressed. It wouldn't do justice to our effort when all that happened,” he added.

Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, announced their T20I retirement after India clinched the coveted trophy. Along with Sharma, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid also marked the end of his coaching tenure with the senior men’s team. Now, Suryakumar Yadav has taken over the side as the leader, with former ODI World Cup-winning batter Gautam Gambhir joining as the head coach.