Former Indian Cricket Captain Rohit Sharma has made a candid revelation about contemplating retirement after India’s crushing loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Speaking at a Masters Union event, Rohit admitted that the emotional toll of the defeat left him feeling completely drained. Despite leading India to a dominant run of nine consecutive wins, the final loss proved devastating.

Rohit said the World Cup defeat felt particularly personal because of the immense effort he had invested since taking over the captaincy in 2022. The Indian team had been in commanding form throughout the tournament, raising expectations of a historic triumph at home. However, Australia’s victory, powered by a match-winning century from Travis Head, shattered those dreams.

Reflecting on the aftermath, Rohit shared that he struggled to find motivation to continue playing the sport he loved. He described feeling as though cricket had taken everything out of him, leaving no emotional or physical energy. The disappointment, he said, was not just professional but deeply personal, making the recovery process slow and painful.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan's Emotional Tribute to Andre Russell After IPL Retirement – "Knight In Shining Armour"

Over time, Rohit managed to regain perspective and reconnect with his passion for the game. He explained that constant self-reflection helped him realise he could not walk away so easily from something that meant so much to him. Gradually, he found the strength to reset mentally and return to the field with renewed purpose.

Although Rohit has since retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, and was removed from ODI captaincy earlier this year, he continues to play the 50-over format. He has made it clear that his ultimate goal is to give himself one final shot at World Cup glory in 2027. The desire to end his career on a high remains a powerful motivation.

Less than a year after the Ahmedabad heartbreak, Rohit led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas. He acknowledged that overcoming the pain of the 2023 defeat was one of the toughest challenges of his career. The experience, he said, taught him resilience, how to deal with disappointment, and the importance of starting afresh even after the darkest moments.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma Set to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy Opener After Kohli’s Confirmation