Rohit Sharma, one of India’s biggest cricket stars, has opened up about a deeply emotional phase in his career. After India’s heartbreaking loss in the 2023 World Cup final, Rohit Sharma admitted he seriously thought about walking away from the game much earlier than expected.
A World Cup Loss That Took Its Toll
Rohit Sharma, who was India’s ODI captain at the time, led the team through a near-perfect World Cup campaign. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, only to fall short in the final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The defeat hit Rohit Sharma hard, both mentally and physically.
He revealed that after the final, he did not feel like playing cricket anymore, saying the tournament had taken “everything out of my body”.
Following that crushing loss, Rohit Sharma stepped away from the spotlight. For weeks, he stayed out of public view, quietly dealing with the disappointment of coming so close to fulfilling his childhood dream on the biggest stage.
Finding the Strength to Return
Despite the pain, Rohit Sharma eventually made his way back to the field. Not only did he return to playing, but he also continued as captain, leading India to major successes. Under his leadership, India lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup and followed it up with victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy, marking a strong comeback after the World Cup heartbreak.
Rohit Sharma later explained how he found the motivation to chase his dream once again.
“It took me a little while to get back because I kept reminding myself that this is something that I love and dreamt of. It is right there in front of me and I cannot let it go so easily. It took a little bit of time and plenty of energy to get back on the field and start going again,” Rohit Sharma said.
A New Phase in Rohit Sharma’s Career
Since then, Rohit’s role in Indian cricket has changed. He has retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket and was removed from the ODI captaincy earlier this year. However, he continues to play the 50 over format.
With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, Rohit appears determined to make one last push on the biggest stage. After everything he has been through, his journey now feels less about titles and more about finishing the dream he once came so close to achieving.
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