India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma has opened up on the emotional toll of the 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat, admitting that the heartbreak left him feeling completely drained and questioning his future in the sport.
Speaking at the Masters’ union Convocation 2025, where he addressed the graduating class as the Chief Guest, Rohit reflected candidly on the aftermath of India’s loss in the World Cup final at home.
“After the 2023 World Cup final, I was completely distraught and felt like I didn’t want to play this sport anymore because it had taken everything out of me and I felt I had nothing left,” Rohit said during the event.
The Indian skipper revealed that the disappointment stemmed from the enormous personal investment he had made since taking over the captaincy in 2022, with a singular objective in mind: winning a World Cup for India.
“It was a very tough time for me personally because I had put everything into that World Cup, not just two or three months before it, but ever since I took over the captaincy in 2022. My only goal was to win the World Cup, whether it was the T20 World Cup or the 2023 World Cup. So when it didn’t happen, I was completely devastated,” he said.
Rohit added that the emotional exhaustion was so intense that it took him months to recover mentally and physically. “There was no energy left in my body. It took me a couple of months to recover and bring myself back,” he said.
The 37-year-old explained that what eventually helped him rediscover his rhythm was reminding himself of his love for the game. “It took some time, and I kept reminding myself that this is something I truly love, that it was right in front of me, and I couldn’t let it go so easily. Slowly, I found my way back, regaining the energy and getting myself moving again on the field,” Rohit noted.
The setback, however, proved to be a turning point. Rohit described the phase as a major life lesson that helped him reset and refocus ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. “I knew that life doesn’t end there. It was a big lesson for me, how to deal with disappointment, reset, and start fresh,” he said.
That renewed focus paid dividends as India went on to win the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit’s leadership, defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados.
During his keynote address, Rohit also spoke about resilience, leadership, and adapting to challenges, drawing parallels between cricket and life beyond sport. Encouraging the graduating students, he said, “Challenges will always come your way, but they are what bring out the best in you. Go forward with confidence, embrace what’s coming, and enjoy the journey.”
