Former India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that he seriously considered walking away from cricket after India’s crushing defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, admitting that the loss left him emotionally exhausted and questioning his future in the sport.

Speaking at a Masters Union event, Rohit said the final in Ahmedabad took a heavy toll on him, as he felt the game had “taken everything out” of him. Under his leadership, India had enjoyed a dominant run throughout the tournament, winning nine matches in a row before stumbling at the final hurdle, where Australia sealed the title with a match-winning century from Travis Head.

Rohit said the disappointment was overwhelming, especially given the effort he had invested since taking over the captaincy in 2022. He explained that the setback went far beyond a single match, as the World Cup had been his primary focus for a long period leading into the tournament.

“I felt I had nothing left,” says Rohit

Reflecting on that phase, Rohit said he was completely distraught after the final and felt he did not want to play anymore. He described the period as one of the toughest of his career, noting that it took him months to recover mentally and physically before he could even think about returning to competitive cricket.

According to Rohit, what eventually helped him was reminding himself of his love for the game. He said he slowly regained his energy, accepted the disappointment, and began preparing himself to move forward rather than remain stuck in the pain of the loss.

He also acknowledged that the entire team was deeply affected by the defeat and struggled to process what had happened, given how close they were to achieving their goal on home soil.

Focus shifted to 2024 T20 World Cup

Rohit said the setback taught him a valuable lesson about dealing with failure and resetting quickly. With another global tournament on the horizon, he knew he had to channel his emotions into preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Less than a year after the 2023 heartbreak, Rohit went on to lead India to the T20 World Cup title in the Americas, a moment that helped him overcome the lingering pain of the earlier defeat. He admitted, however, that it was far easier to speak about resilience in hindsight than it was to live through that difficult phase.

Rohit has since retired from T20Is and Tests and was removed from ODI captaincy earlier this year. However, he continues to play the 50-over format and has made it clear that he would like to end his career with one final push at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India have officially announced their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 along with the T20I series against New Zealand, with some significant selection calls grabbing attention. The biggest development is the omission of Shubman Gill, who has not only been removed from the vice-captaincy role but also dropped entirely from the Suryakumar Yadav-led side.

The selection panel has opted for continuity in leadership, retaining Suryakumar Yadav as captain, while all-rounder Axar Patel has been appointed as the new vice-captain. The same squad will feature in both the global tournament and the bilateral T20I series against New Zealand.

Axar Patel elevated, Ishan Kishan returns

Axar Patel’s elevation to vice-captain reflects the team management’s trust in his all-round abilities and recent performances. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has made a return to the national setup, replacing Jitesh Sharma, who has been left out of the squad.

Kishan’s recall follows his impressive outing in domestic cricket, where he played a key role in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, strengthening his case for a comeback in the shortest format.

Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar included

Middle-order batter Rinku Singh has found a place in the squad, adding depth to India’s batting line-up, while Washington Sundar’s inclusion boosts the all-round options available to the team. The bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, supported by spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

Harshit Rana has also been named in the squad, underlining the selectors’ intent to back emerging pace options.

India squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand T20Is

The squad announced for both assignments includes Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh.

The Indian cricket team is set to announce its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 along with the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand on Saturday. The selection meeting will be held at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, followed by a press conference addressed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

The New Zealand T20I series, scheduled for late January, will be India’s final assignment in the shortest format before the T20 World Cup, which will be played from February 7 to March 8 and co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Shubman Gill’s form and vice-captaincy under scanner

One of the key talking points ahead of the squad announcement is Shubman Gill’s position in the team, particularly his role as vice-captain. Gill’s recent T20I form has drawn attention within selection discussions, even though he is expected to remain part of the squad.

Media reports suggest the selectors are deliberating between Gill, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh while finalising the combination. Former India batter Aakash Chopra has also indicated that while Gill may continue as vice-captain, the team management could keep the slot open or consider Hardik Pandya as an alternative to maintain flexibility.

Core group likely to remain intact

Several senior players are considered certain selections for the World Cup squad. Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to feature prominently. The pace attack is likely to include Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are set to fill the all-rounder roles.

India is also expected to continue with two wicketkeepers, with Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma emerging as the preferred choices.

Jaiswal waits in the wings

While there are no major vacancies in the squad, Yashasvi Jaiswal remains a player to watch. With Gill’s position under discussion, the selectors may consider naming Jaiswal in the New Zealand T20I squad to assess his readiness as a backup option ahead of the World Cup.

Recent form boosts confidence

India come into the selection process after a strong showing against South Africa, clinching the five-match T20I series 3-1. In the fifth T20I in Ahmedabad, Hardik Pandya played a crucial role with a 63-run knock off 25 balls, underlining his importance in the middle order and as a leadership option.

The selection committee also retains the option to make changes to the 15-member squad until the start of the World Cup, offering room for adjustments based on form and conditions.