Former India T20 and Test captain Rohit Sharma recalled his last T20I clash against Pakistan. India and Pakistan last played a T20I clash against each other in the T20 World Cup 2024, when Rohit Sharma-led side defeated the arch-rivals by six runs after defending a below-par score of 119 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
As the one-year anniversary of the T20 World Cup win is just days away, and ahead of the special day, Rohit Sharma opened up on the contest against Pakistan, revealing that there was a “threat” before the clash.
Rohit also revealed how Team India weren't allowed to leave their hotel rooms due to the threat. He then talked about how the players were ordering food and the hotel was packed with the fans of both India and Pakistan, making to tough to even walk inside the premises.
In the clash against Pakistan, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side has gained the early momentum but India speedsters Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah's calculated bowling helped India to make a comeback.
“Before the India vs Pakistan match, we were told there was a threat that something was going on. So, two days before the game, we weren’t allowed to step out of the hotel. The atmosphere started building from there. We were ordering food in, and the hotel was so packed you could barely walk. Fans, media, and everyone were there. That’s when you realise this isn’t just another match, something special is about to happen" Rohit Sharma said JioHotstar’s special “Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se.
As soon as we got near the stadium, it already felt like a celebration — Indian fans, Pakistani fans, all dancing and enjoying themselves. I’ve played so many India–Pakistan games now — I’ve lost count — but that pre-match energy, that feeling… It’s always something else. Nothing compares to it.”
During that clash against Pakistan, India batted first and were bundled out for 119 in 19 overs. Wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant was the highest run-getter, scoring 42 runs off 31 balls.
Speaking of Pant's knock, Rohit said, “We just wanted Rishabh to be Rishabh — do all the things he does best, unsettle the bowlers, play freely. And he did that perfectly. His innings was around 42, and on that pitch, that’s as good as scoring 70.”
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets that helped India restrict Pakistan to register a memorable six-run win. Even Arshdeep Singh was economical, keeping Babar Azam and co in check.
“With Bumrah, you’ve got to be proactive in how you use him. He’s a wicket-taker, and at the same time, he’s not going to leak runs. So, how do you balance that, especially when the opposition is chasing at a run-a-ball? Arshdeep has been phenomenal too,” said Rohit Sharma.
“Over the last two years, there’s a reason he’s become India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is — he’s a really smart bowler. So, with both of them, my focus was on how to use their remaining overs strategically,” he added.
India's last outing against Pakistan came in the Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, where the Men in Blue defeated them by six wickets.