Former India skipper and the ambassador for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Rohit Sharma, reflected on the key moments that have defined the India versus Pakistan rivalry since the tournament's inception in 2007.
Up until the 2026 fixture, Rohit Sharma was part of every single India-Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup. From a youngster in 2007 to eventually leading India to two famous victories against their traditional rivals in 2022 and 2024, the former opener has some of the fondest memories.
Speaking to ICC, Rohit described the 2007 T20 World Cup games as his favourite T20 World Cup contest against Pakistan.
“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,” said Rohit.
In the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan locked horns twice. Their league-stage encounter ended in a tie, with India winning the bowl-out. This thrilling match set the stage for their epic final showdown in Johannesburg, where India emerged victorious by five runs.
“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.
Another iconic India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup took place at MCG in 2022. Chasing 160 to win, the Men in Blue were in dire straits at 31/4 after 6.1 overs. Amid the pressure situation, Virat Kohli rose to the occasion as he smashed 82* off 53 balls and shared a 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya (40 off 37 balls) to script India’s nail-biting four-wicket victory.
“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.
“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,” he added.
“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,” he further remarked.
Rohit, who has represented India in 160 T20Is, acknowledged that the nerves still linger before every match, adding that the very feeling continues to fuel his passion and love for the game.
“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,” said Rohit.
(With ICC Inputs)
