Former India captain Rohit Sharma picked his most favourite clash of the famous rivalry between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Among all the high-pressure matches, the legendary batter picked the 2007 final as his favourite.
Rohit Sharma's favourite India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
Rohit has been part of every India versus Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup from 2007 until the 2026 edition, where he is serving as an ambassador. From being a young debutant in the first tournament to later leading India in big wins against Pakistan in 2022 and 2024, his journey in this rivalry has come full circle.
“My favourite T20 World Cup match against Pakistan was definitely the final we played, nothing can beat that. We went on to win the World Cup.”
India and Pakistan actually met twice in the 2007 tournament. Before the final, they played a league match that ended in a tie and was decided by a bowl-out which was the first one in T20 World Cup history.
“In that same year (2007), we also played a league game against Pakistan, which was the only match in the tournament decided by a bowl-out, and we came out on top there as well. So in 2007, both World Cup games were special,” Rohit recalled.
Rohit Sharma on India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 clash
Another unforgettable contest between the two sides came at the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG. Rohit was out early in that match and had to watch the tense finish from the dressing room as Virat Kohli helped India pull off an almost impossible chase to start the tournament on a winning note.
“Yeah, I was in the dressing room. Then I came out, but I got nervous and went back inside. When games are this tight, especially when you’re off the field and know you can’t do anything, it just takes that sense of control away from you, and I felt helpless. You actually do feel helpless watching the game unfold when you can’t do anything about it,” said Rohit.
Rohit Sharma on Kohli's iconic knock vs Pakistan at MCG
Chasing 160, India were struggling at 31 for 4 before Virat Kohli played one of the finest innings of his career to turn the game around.
“Kohli played a blinder there. That was again very, very special to watch because we were in no position to win that game, especially after how we started.
“But the way we finished was magnificent. It has to be one of the greatest cricket games we’ve ever played — because of the occasion. It was a World Cup game, an important one for us to win, and to come back from that situation made it even more special,” the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning skipper said.
Rohit Sharma on nervousness while featuring for India
Rohit, who retired from T20 Internationals after playing 160 matches, also spoke about the nerves he feels before every game. Even after so many years at the top level, that feeling has never gone away.
“I’ve played 160 T20 Internationals for India. I don’t remember a single game where I wasn’t nervous. I was nervous for each and every game. That feeling gives me nervousness, and I don’t think that as long as I’m holding this bat, going out there and taking the field, that feeling will ever go away. It stays with me. And that feeling means you still want to go out there, play the game, and give your best,” Rohit concluded.