Former India captain Rohit Sharma, now an ambassador for the 2026 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has revisited some of the highlights of the legendary India-Pakistan rivalry, naming the 2007 final as his favorite encounter in the tournament’s history.
Until the 2026 match, Rohit appeared in every India-Pakistan T20 World Cup contest. From being a young member of the team in 2007 to leading India in high-pressure clashes in 2022 and 2024, Rohit’s journey in this rivalry mirrors the evolution of India’s T20 story itself.
Looking back, the former opener said it was nothing close night India lifted the inaugural title.
“My favorite match in the T20 World Cup against Pakistan was definitely the final we played. Nothing beats that. We won the World Cup,” Rohit said.
India and Pakistan met twice in the 2007 edition. Before the final in Johannesburg, there was an unforgettable tie in the league stage, which was decided by the tournament’s first ever bowl-out.
“The same year we also played a league match against Pakistan, which was the only bowl-out deciding match in the tournament, and we came out on top there too. So in 2007, both the World Cup matches were special,” Rohit recalled.
Another chapter was added to the rivalry at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the T20 World Cup 2022. Rohit, dismissed at the start of the chase, could only watch as India registered one of their most dramatic victories.
“Yeah, I was in the dressing room. Then I went out but I got nervous and went back in. When games are so close, especially when you’re off the field and you know you can’t do anything, it just takes that sense of control away and I felt helpless. You actually feel helpless watching the game unfold when you can’t do anything about it,” he said.
Chasing 160, India reeled at 31 for 4 before Virat Kohli produced what many consider to be one of the best knocks of the T20Is. His unbeaten 82 propelled India to a famous victory under the lights at the MCG.
“Kohli played blindly there. It was again very, very special to watch because we were not in a position to win that match, especially after we started,” Rohit said.
“But the way we finished was amazing. It has to be one of the best games of cricket we’ve ever played because of the occasion. It was a World Cup game, important for us to win, and to come back from that situation made it even more special.”
Despite 160 T20I appearances, Rohit admitted that the nerves never completely left him.
“I’ve played 160 T20 Internationals for India. I can’t remember a single match where I haven’t been nervous. I’ve been nervous in every match. That feeling makes me nervous and I don’t think that feeling will ever go away as long as I hold this bat and go out there and take the field.”
“It stays with me. And that feeling means you still want to go out there, play the game and give your best,” he added.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
02 March 2026 15:49 IST
