India defeated Pakistan by 6 runs while defending 119 runs in New York.
India defeated Pakistan in the group stage before defeating South Africa in the finals of the T20 World Cup 2024, which was played in the United States and the Caribbean Islands. This victory was India's first ICC title in thirteen years.
Captain Rohit Sharma, who won the 2024 T20 World Cup, talked candidly about the intense India vs. Pakistan match at the event. Regarding the much-discussed stadium in New York, Rohit remarked it appeared magnificent.
“The stadium was beautiful. When we reached the ground for the first time, there was a trophy unveiling ceremony, and that’s when I saw the ground for the first time. We were not allowed to train inside the stadium as there was no practice facility.
We could take the feeling of the ground only when we got to play the match. From first glance, Kaafi grand stadium lag raha tha (The stadium looked pretty grand). It was an open stadium, the seating arrangements were good, basically, it was a makeshift stadium. So the things you expect in a normal venue, you won’t get there,” Rohit Sharma said on Star Sports.
Speaking on the tricky pitch of New York, Rohit said, “We played three matches there and we could not figure out what the good total at that venue, where to place the shots, what are the scoring areas, what lines to bowl as a bowler, although it was a bowlers’ friendly pitch. So the first thing we did in our group talks was we completely took the pitch out of the equation.”
After that, Rohit explains his decision by going over the entire India vs. Pakistan game. India wants Pakistan to pursue, Rohit added. Rishabh Pant struck 42 off 31 as India was bowled out for only 119 in 19 overs. Asked if there was any advice for Rishabh Pant after Virat Kohli fell early.
Rohit said, “Nhi, nhi nhi… kuch advice nahi tha (No, there was no advice for him). We just wanted Rishabh to be Rishabh. Do all these kinds of things and try and put the bowlers off, and he did that perfectly. His 42 was more like the 70, considering the conditions.”
After the first innings, Rohit acknowledged during the defence that he thought India was 15–20 runs behind, but if his bowlers took early wickets, this goal would seem more like 160.
“Mere paas Bumrah ke saath saath Arshdeep bhi hai (Along with Bumrah I had Arshdeep as well),” he said.
In the end, India defeated Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring humdinger, but captain Rohit claimed the victory was only a victory.
“A tick in the box to move ahead in the tournament, nothing else. I know you want to beat Pakistan, and there is so much of chatter around it, but for us, it’s an opposition, and we want to come up against and play well and win. Don’t need to overthink and think that if we win against Pakistan, we win the World Cup. It doesn’t work like that,” said Rohit.
“Agar Pakistan ko hara diya aur World Cup nahin jeeta, toh chalega? Nahi chalega (If we beat Pakistan and do not win the World Cup, will it be okay? It’s not okay),” Rohit said.
One of the greatest wins in the #GreatestRivalry, led by true team spirit and Hitman’s sharp strategy????
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 26, 2025
Relive the magic of @T20WorldCup 2024 when #TeamIndia defended just 120 vs Pakistan! ????????????
Watch the full video ???? https://t.co/bKvGxdrJ4r
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