Rohit Sharma Contemplated Retirement Post-2023 World Cup Final Defeat

Former India captain Rohit Sharma considered retiring after the devastating loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, he revealed on Sunday.

Under Rohit’s leadership, India had an exceptional run in the World Cup, securing nine consecutive wins to reach the final. However, Australia clinched victory with a six-wicket win, largely thanks to Travis Head’s decisive century.

“After the 2023 World Cup final, I was completely shattered and felt like quitting the sport because it drained everything from me, leaving me feeling empty,” Rohit shared at a Masters Union event in Gurugram.

“Over time, I reminded myself of my love for the game and realized I couldn’t give up so easily. Gradually, I rediscovered my motivation and got back on track on the field.

“Everyone was deeply disappointed, and it was hard to accept what had happened. It was a particularly tough period for me personally because I put everything into that World Cup, starting from when I became captain in 2022,” he explained.

In less than a year after the defeat to Australia in Ahmedabad, Rohit guided the Indian team to the T20 World Cup title in the Americas. However, moving past the November 2023 loss was incredibly challenging.

ALSO READ: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 — Rohit Sharma not included in Mumbai squad for first few matches

“When you invest so much and don’t achieve the desired result, it’s a natural reaction to feel defeated. But I understood that life goes on,” Rohit added.

“The experience taught me how to handle disappointment, reset, and start anew. I knew I had to focus on the next challenge, the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.”

“It’s easy to discuss now, but at that time, it was incredibly difficult.”

Published on Dec 22, 2025