Rohit Sharma recalls World Cup final heartbreak: 'Asked my wife if it ...

Reflecting on the heartbreaking moments after the World Cup final loss, Rohit Shama said he did not want to be on the field for the post-match duties after India went down to Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. Rohit recalled a chat with his wife the day after the crushing loss.

India captain Rohit Sharma was dejected after losing the World Cup final in Ahmedabad (PTI Photo)

India captain Rohit Sharma recalled the heartbreaking feeling after India's loss in the ODI World Cup final to Australia last year in Ahmedabad, saying he had asked his wife the following day morning whether it was all "a bad dream". Rohit Sharma said he did not want be in the cameramen's radar moments after the final, revealing that he had run outside the field of play and given himself a couple of moments to reflect.

Speaking in a promotional video, Rohit Sharma revealed he felt frustrated and was angry at himself after India lost to Australia by 7 wickets in the World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023. Rohit said the team badly wanted to lift the trophy and were confident after having been on a 10-match winning run in the lead-up to the final.

"When I woke up the next day after the World Cup Final, I had no idea what happened last night. I was discussing it with my wife and told 'Whatever happened last night was a bad dream, right? I think the final is tomorrow," Rohit said in an interaction with Adidas India.

"It took me two to three days to realise that we lost the final and that we will get another chance only four years later," Rohit added.

The captain said he wanted to finish the post-match routines as quickly as possible and get out of the field.

"Before the final, the thought of losing did not even occur to us. Everyone believed we will run through and keep going in the same direction because we were playing very good cricket.

"I ran. I was in no mood to stand there in the middle. Honestly, I just wanted this so badly. When you want something that desperately and you don't get it, you get frustrated, you get angry and you get all this negative things. At that time, you won't even understand what's happening in your life," Rohit added.

India headed into the World Cup final as favourites at home. However, Pat Cummins-led Australia completely outplayed India on a sluggish pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Rohit hit 47 off 31, giving India a great start after they were sent into bat. However, his wicket in the 10th over sucked the momentum out of India's innings. The hosts were bundled out for 240 in their quota of 50 overs. Travis Head then went to score a hundred to help Australia lift the World Cup for the sixth time in men's cricket history.

Having put behind the disappointment, Rohit Sharma is leading India in the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Rohit's men began their campaign against Ireland with a convincing 8-wicket win in New York.