The buzz around an India vs Pakistan cricket match has always transcended the sport, creating a wave of excitement that ripples through fans, media, and even players. That feeling reached a fever pitch during the T20 World Cup 2024, and India captain Rohit Sharma has now opened up about the unforgettable atmosphere that surrounded the high-voltage encounter.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s special segment ‘Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se’, Rohit described the pre-match build-up like a grand celebration. From strict hotel security to the jubilant scenes outside the stadium, everything about the match reminded him just how monumental India vs Pakistan clashes are.
“We weren’t even allowed to step out” – Tension and thrill before the game
Rohit revealed that there were security concerns ahead of the match, which led to the team being restricted to their hotel rooms two days prior.
“Before the India vs Pakistan match, we were told there was a threat—something was going on. So, two days before the game, we weren’t allowed to step out of the hotel,” said the Indian skipper.
“The atmosphere started building from there. We were ordering food in, and the hotel was so packed you could barely walk. Fans, media—everyone was there. That’s when you realise this isn’t just another match—something special is about to happen.”
As the team bus approached the stadium, the tension turned into celebration. “It already felt like a festival,” Rohit recalled. “Indian fans, Pakistani fans, all dancing and enjoying themselves. I’ve played so many India-Pakistan games now—but that pre-match energy, that feeling… It’s always something else. Nothing compares to it.”
India’s Low-Scoring Thriller: Pant’s Grit and Bumrah’s Brilliance
In the match itself, India found themselves on shaky ground early, losing key wickets including Virat Kohli (4), Rohit himself (13), and Axar Patel (20). But Rishabh Pant stepped up with a fighting 42 off 31 deliveries, which turned out to be a match-defining knock.
Praising the young wicketkeeper-batter, Rohit said, “We just wanted Rishabh to be Rishabh—do all the things he does best, unsettle the bowlers, play freely. His innings was around 42, and on that pitch, that’s as good as scoring 70. It was a very challenging surface.”
India managed 119 runs on the board, a total that looked below par, but not to Rohit.
“Our plan wasn’t to go for 200—we were aiming for 140. But of course, we lost wickets along the way. And that’s when Rishabh played that crucial knock of 40-plus, which really held things together. Eventually, we got 119—and I actually felt it could still be a good score.”
Bumrah and Arshdeep: The Men with a Mission
What followed was a top-class bowling display from India, especially from Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Bumrah’s figures of 3/14 not only sealed India’s narrow 6-run win but also earned him the Player of the Match award.
“With Bumrah, you’ve got to be proactive in how you use him,” Rohit said. “He’s a wicket-taker, and at the same time, he’s not going to leak runs. So, how do you balance that, especially when the opposition is chasing at a run-a-ball?”
He also showered praise on Arshdeep Singh, calling him one of India’s most dependable T20 bowlers.
“Arshdeep has been phenomenal too. Over the last two years, there’s a reason he’s become India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is—he’s a really smart bowler,” Rohit added.
On a tough pitch where new batters struggled to get going, Rohit said the strategy was simple: keep rotating the strike bowlers and create pressure to get fresh batters into the middle.
“You think about which batters are coming in, how would they handle Arshdeep and Bumrah? On that pitch, it was tough for new batters to settle, so our goal was to force new guys to the crease. That was the plan.”
India’s Legacy in Indo-Pak Clashes Grows Stronger
This victory wasn’t just another win for India—it was another chapter in the long-standing rivalry where every run, wicket, and moment is amplified by history, emotion, and passion.
With Bumrah’s precision, Pant’s calculated aggression, and Rohit’s sharp captaincy, India once again showed why they thrive under pressure in matches that matter the most. And for the fans, it was another heart-racing encounter that reaffirmed why India vs Pakistan remains the most electrifying fixture in world cricket.
As Rohit aptly put it, “That feeling… It’s always something else. Nothing compares to it.”
