On This Day: Rohit Sharma Smashes 92 Against Australia to Avenge 2023 World Cup Final Loss!

That loss stayed fresh in everyone’s mind. Fast forward to 24th June 2024 — Rohit Sharma walked in with fire in his eyes and the memory of that final burning strong. He smashed the Australian bowlers all over the ground, scoring a brilliant 92. It felt like sweet revenge for the painful loss in 2023. Let’s relive how Rohit’s innings unfolded ball by ball.

India vs Australia: 24th June 2024

When India batted first in their T20 World Cup showdown against Australia on June 24, 2024, at St Lucia’s Gros Islet, they put on a batting masterclass, racking up 205/5 in their 20 overs. The star was captain Rohit Sharma, who smashed a stunning 92 off just 41 balls, packed with seven fours and eight sixes. His fearless knock lit up the stadium and gave India a total that screamed “chase this if you dare.”

Things didn’t start smoothly, though. Virat Kohli, usually India’s rock, was out for a five-ball duck in the second over, caught by Tim David off Josh Hazlewood, leaving India at 6/1. But Rohit wasn’t fazed. He came out swinging, hammering boundaries left and right. A brief rain stoppage came when India were 43/1 after 4.1 overs, but it didn’t slow Rohit down. He raced to a 19-ball fifty, studded with four fours and five sixes, giving India a solid 60/1 in the powerplay which also included the over against Mitchell Starc where Rohit Sharma hit 29 runs off the over.

Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, joined Rohit and played the perfect foil. Together, they added 87 runs for the second wicket, with Pant chipping in 15 off 14 balls, including a four and a six. Their stand kept Australia’s bowlers on the ropes, but Pant fell in the eighth over, caught by Hazlewood off Marcus Stoinis, with the score at 93/2. By the 10-over drinks break, India were flying at 114/2, thanks to Rohit’s 89 off 37 balls.

Rohit kept going, looking set for a century, but Mitchell Starc bowled him in the 12th over for 92, ending a game-changing knock at 127/3. Suryakumar Yadav stepped up next, blasting 31 off 16 balls with three fours and two sixes, keeping the scoreboard ticking. He fell in the 15th over, caught by Matthew Wade off Starc, at 159/4. Shivam Dube then took over, scoring a handy 28 off 22 balls with two fours and a six, before Stoinis dismissed him in the 19th over at 194/5.

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja finished the innings in style. Pandya stayed unbeaten on 27 off 17 balls, smashing a four and two sixes, while Jadeja hit a six in his 9 off 5 balls. Their 11-run unbeaten stand pushed India past 200, ending at 205/5. Australia’s bowlers struggled, with Stoinis (2/56) and Starc (2/45) picking up wickets but leaking runs. Hazlewood was the exception, conceding just 14 runs in four overs for one wicket, while Pat Cummins (0/48) and Adam Zampa (0/41) took a pounding.

India’s innings was a story of aggression and recovery. They hit 100 in 8.4 overs, 150 in 13.4 overs, and 200 in 19.4 overs, finishing with a run rate of 10.25. Rohit’s blitz, backed by quick cameos from Suryakumar, Dube, and Pandya, turned an early stumble into a mountain of runs. The team’s ability to keep the pressure on, even after losing Kohli early, showed their depth and set Australia a daunting challenge.

Chasing 206 in their T20 World Cup match against India on June 24, 2024, at Gros Islet, Australia gave it their all but ended up at 181/7, falling 24 runs short. Travis Head led the charge with a brilliant 76 off 43 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes, but India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh’s 3/37 and Kuldeep Yadav’s 2/24, held firm to seal the win.

Australia’s chase got off to a rocky start when David Warner was out for 6 in the first over, caught by Suryakumar Yadav off Arshdeep Singh, leaving them at 6/1. Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh then steadied things with an 81-run stand for the second wicket. Marsh looked solid, scoring 37 off 28 balls with three fours and two sixes, while Head attacked from the get-go, reaching his fifty in 24 balls. They powered Australia to 65/1 in the powerplay and 99/2 by the drinks break.

Kuldeep Yadav struck a big blow in the ninth over, getting Marsh caught by Axar Patel for 37, with the score at 87/2. Glenn Maxwell came in and kept the fight alive, scoring a quick 20 off 12 balls with two fours and a six. But Kuldeep struck again in the 13th over, bowling Maxwell at 128/3, shifting the momentum. Marcus Stoinis lasted just four balls, scoring 2 before being caught by Hardik Pandya off Axar Patel in the 14th over at 135/4. With the asking rate soaring, Australia’s hopes rested on Head.

Head kept swinging, but his 76-run knock ended in the 17th over when he was caught by Rohit Sharma off Jasprit Bumrah, leaving Australia at 150/5. Matthew Wade followed for 1, caught by Kuldeep off Arshdeep, and Tim David’s 15 off 11 balls ended with a catch by Bumrah off Arshdeep at 166/7. Pat Cummins (11 not out) and Mitchell Starc (4 not out) added a few late runs, but the target was out of reach.

India’s bowlers were disciplined and smart. Arshdeep’s three wickets, including Warner and David, broke Australia’s momentum. Kuldeep’s spin accounted for Marsh and Maxwell, while Bumrah’s 1/29 and Axar’s 1/21 kept things tight. Hardik Pandya (0/47) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/17) were pricier but backed up the attack.

Australia’s run rate of 9.05 couldn’t match the needed 10.30, as wickets at key moments derailed their chase. Australia hit 50 in 5.2 overs and 100 in 10.1 overs, with Head and Marsh’s stand keeping them in the game. But losing wickets in the middle overs, especially Maxwell and Stoinis, hurt their chances. Head’s lone battle wasn’t enough against India’s relentless bowling, leaving Australia hoping for other results to stay alive in the tournament.