Indian Cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma finally broke his silence after the heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia by 6 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad last month. Along with the fans, even players were disappointed after the loss and the skipper himself couldn’t hold his tears and started crying after the loss.

In a video recently uploaded on social media, Rohit can be seen talking about how he tried to overcome that loss. The right-handed batter revealed that he decided to avoid public appearances for some time and went to spend time with his family. His friends and family members tried to appreciate the efforts of the team which kept him going.

Watch the video here:

Rohit Sharma's first interview since the 2023 World Cup Final loss.pic.twitter.com/l166pho095

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 13, 2023

“After the final, it was very hard to get back and start moving on, which is why I decided that I needed to get my mind out of this. But then, wherever I was, I realised that people were coming up to me and they were appreciating everyone’s effort, and how well we played. I feel for all of them. They all, along with us, were dreaming of lifting that World Cup, along with us,” Rohit was quoted as saying by India.com.

“Everywhere we went during this entire campaign, there was so much support from everyone who came to the stadium first and people who were watching it from home as well. I want to appreciate what the people have done for us, in that one and half month period. But again, if I think more and more about that I feel quite disappointed that we were not able to go all the way” added Rohit.

It was just pure love from people that I met: Rohit Sharma

Rohit said that the fans and people around him saying that they were brilliant throughout the World Cup healed him well and he was pleased to hear those words. Rohit also added that they understand the situation and feelings of the fans but it was very heart-touching for the fans to show only love to the players.

“For me to see, you know, people coming up to me, telling me that they were proud of the team, you know made me feel good. Along with them, I was healing as well. I felt, okay these are the kind of things you want to hear,” Rohit said.

He added, “People, when they understand what the player must be going through and when they know these kinds of things and not to bring out that frustration, that anger, it means a lot for us, for me definitely it meant a lot because there was no anger, it was just pure love from people that I met and it was wonderful to see that. So it gives you motivation to get back and start working again and look for another ultimate prize.” he added.

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has spoken up on the viral video of skipper Pat Cummins waiting for his players after the ODI World Cup 2023 final. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed the Australi skipper the trophy. After the former left the podium, Cummins was left waiting for his teammates. As per the rituals of any tournament, the players gather with their captains and coaches to celebrate the title win.

Meanwhile, Maxwell said that his captain dealt with the entire with an absolute class. The former added that the right-arm pacer, Cummins didn’t make a big fuss about it.

“It was quite funny watching the videos of the post-match presentation where he shook Modi’s hand and was stuck there on the podium,” he said. “It felt like that lasted for about 10 minutes, him just standing there with the trophy waiting for the group to come on. But he actually dealt with it with class. He didn’t make a big song and dance about it, [he] just thought ‘you know what, I’ll wait here, be respectful.’ Not everyone would’ve dealt with that like he did.”

That’s not how Pat Cummins normally bats: Glenn Maxwell

The three-time World Cup winner (ODI and T20I) has also spoken about his maiden ODI double hundred against Afghanistan. In the game, the eventual champions lost seven for 91, chasing 292. Maxwell and Cummins put together an unbeaten 201 runs for the eighth wicket to win the game.

“That’s not the way Pat normally bats,” Maxwell said. “He wants to play free-flowing, he wants to hit the ball, he’s got a great swing, and he’s able to do that at different times. But for him to put his ego aside and go ‘I’m going to stick this out’, I’ll forever be grateful for things he sacrificed during the tournament and everything he’s done for us as a playing group, and me personally as well.”

ODI World Cup 2023 finalists, India were the only team unbeaten before the summit clash of the tournament. They had won 10 games including the game against Australia in round-robin who eventually won the tournament. During the summit clash, the toss was won by Australia which became a deciding factor. While the ball spun and reverse swung during the day, batting became easy during the night time.

Meanwhile, as India lost the final by six wickets, they once missed out on winning a World Event. Close to two weeks later, the Indian Cricket Board asked head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma to explain the reasons for the loss. Board Secretary, Jay Shah, vice president, Rajeev Shukla, and Treasurer, Ashish Shelar attended the meeting.

According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the board officials asked coach Dravid and Sharma about the sub-par performance on November 19. The former blamed the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The former India captain said the pitch did not turn as much as the Indian team management expected it would have.

The last two years with Team India have been memorable: Rahul Dravid

The former India skipper’s first stint as head coach was after the T20 World Cup 2021. At that point, he replaced Ravi Shastri. Meanwhile, after the team played the final of the ODI WC 2023, Dravid has been given the extension for a foreseeable future.

“The last two years with Team India have been thoroughly memorable. Together, we have witnessed the highs and lows, and throughout this journey, the support and camaraderie within the group have been phenomenal. I am genuinely proud of the culture we have set in the dressing room. It’s a culture that stands resilient, whether in moments of triumph or adversity. The skills and talent that our team possesses are phenomenal, and what we’ve stressed is following the right process and sticking to our preparations, which has had a direct impact on the overall result.

“I thank the BCCI and the Office Bearers for placing their trust in me, endorsing my vision, and providing support during this period. The demands of this role necessitate considerable time away from home, and I deeply appreciate my family’s sacrifices and support. Their instrumental role behind the scenes has been invaluable. As we embrace new challenges post the World Cup, we remain committed to the pursuit of excellence.”