As captain Rohit Sharma prepares to lead his team into the ICC T20 World Cup starting on June 5, he is determined to move beyond last year’s disappointment of losing the ODI World Cup on home soil. This year’s T20 World Cup will be hosted in the US and the West Indies.
India will begin their campaign on June 5, facing Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The 36-year-old Rohit is focused on securing an ICC trophy that has eluded India since 2013.
India’s last T20 World Cup victory was in the inaugural tournament in 2007, where the team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni defeated Pakistan by five runs in the final. This remains India’s sole title in the competition’s history.
Since their 2007 triumph, India has reached the final only once in eight editions, finishing as runners-up in the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh after losing to Sri Lanka by six wickets.
Shikhar Dhawan on Rohit Sharma’s form
Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan is confident that Rohit and his team will succeed.
“Playing for India in World Cups comes with a lot of pressure, but Rohit is an experienced player. I’m sure his experience will be invaluable, and India will succeed,” Shikhar told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview. “It’s great to see players like Shivam Dube, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sanju Samson getting their deserved spots in the ICC tournament. We have a very balanced team and need to play excellent cricket. Good luck to Team India; we are all cheering for you,” added the veteran batsman.
Virat Kohli has been outstanding in the last two ICC events—the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022 and the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023. The Indian batting star ended both tournaments as the top run-scorer.
In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Virat scored 296 runs in 6 matches at an average of 98.66, including four half-centuries. His remarkable, unbeaten 82-run match-winning performance against Pakistan was a highlight of the tournament.
Virat continued his prolific form in the ICC ODI World Cup, hosted by India. Despite India losing the final to Australia, Virat earned the Man of the Series award. He scored 765 runs in 11 matches, averaging 90.31, with 3 centuries and 6 fifties throughout the tournament.
Dhawan talks about Kohli
Shikhar believes that Virat will once again excel as Team India seeks an ICC title.
“Besides Rohit, I think Virat and Jasprit Bumrah will be crucial for India’s success in the T20 World Cup,” Shikhar said. “Virat is the master of chasing, and his presence on the field demoralizes the opposition. Jasprit is the best bowler in the world in all three formats, and if India is to win the World Cup, he will play a vital role,” Shikhar said.
Shikhar Dhawan on Punjab’s Emerging Talents: Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh
Each year, the IPL showcases emerging talents, and the 2024 edition has highlighted two future prospects for Indian cricket: Punjab Kings batsmen Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma.
With their impressive batting, ability to clear the boundary effortlessly, and dismantle any bowling attack, Shashank and Ashutosh have made compelling cases for inclusion in the Indian team, especially in T20 cricket.
“Ashutosh and Shashank have been outstanding this season, and it’s great to see these young players performing in high-pressure games. They have a bright future ahead, and they always give us hope that they can finish any game,” Shikhar said.
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