NEW DELHI: When captain
Rohit Sharma
leads his team to the ICC
T20 World Cup
on June 5, he will undoubtedly aim to move past the disappointment of losing the ODI World Cup title at home last year. This year's T20 World Cup is set to take place in the US and the West Indies.
India will kick off their campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
The 36-year-old Rohit will be striving to secure an ICC trophy that has eluded India since 2013.
India's last T20 World Cup victory was in the inaugural edition in 2007 when the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team defeated Pakistan by five runs in the final. This remains India's only title in the tournament's history.
Since their 2007 triumph, India have reached the final just once in eight editions, finishing as runners-up in the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh after losing to Sri Lanka by six wickets.
Can Rohit lead India to an ICC title win this time around?
India's star batsman
Shikhar Dhawan
is confident that Rohit and his team will emerge victorious.
"Of course, there is lots of pressure playing for India in World Cups and Rohit is an experienced guy. I am sure his experience will come in handy, he knows how to soak the pressure and definitely, India will come out with flying colours," Shikhar told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
"It’s great to see players like
Shivam Dube
, Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal), and Sanju (Samson) getting their deserved spot in the ICC tournament and we got a very balanced side and we got to play really good cricket. Good luck
team India
and we are all rooting for you guys," the veteran batsman said.
VIRAT KOHLI, THE CHASE MASTER
Virat Kohli has been exceptional in the last two ICC events—the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022 and the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023. The Indian batting maestro ended both tournaments as the highest run-scorer.
In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Virat amassed 296 runs in 6 matches at an impressive average of 98.66, including four half-centuries. His stunning, unbeaten 82-run match-winning knock against arch-rivals Pakistan was a standout performance of the tournament.
Virat maintained his prolific form in the ICC ODI World Cup, hosted by India.
Despite India losing the title clash 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.
Shikhar believes that Virat will once again rise to the occasion as Team India seeks an ICC title.
"Apart from Rohit, I feel Virat (Kohli) and Jassi (
Jasprit Bumrah
) will be crucial for Team India’s success in the T20 World Cup," the left-hander said.
"Virat is the chase master and his mere presence in the field demoralises the opposition. Jasprit is the world’s best bowler at the moment in all 3 formats and if India are to win the World Cup, he will play a vital role in it," Shikhar said.
'ASHUTOSH AND SHASHANK FUTURE STARS'
Every year, the IPL showcases emerging stars, and the 2024 edition is not an exception, highlighting two future prospects for Indian cricket: Punjab Kings batsmen Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma.
With their breathtaking batting, ability to effortlessly clear the boundary, dismantle any bowling attack, and hit massive sixes, Shashank and Ashutosh have made compelling cases for inclusion in the Indian team, particularly in the shortest format of the game.
"Ashutosh and Shashank have been phenomenal this season and it is great to see these youngsters coming and chipping in these high-pressure games. They have a bright future ahead and they always give us hope that they can finish any game," Shikhar said.
On his association with CREX, Shikhar said: "CREX plays a vital role in more than 100 Million cricket fans’ lives and hence empowers cricket as a game. It allows the fans to stay tuned with live cricket scores, stats, and stories of every cricket match around the globe."
English (US) ·