Ex-Indian head chooser, Kris Srikkanth believes Rohit Sharma’s back. He’s set to steer the team in the T20 World Cup this June. His comeback is marked by a three-game bout against Afghanistan.
England brought about a brutal defeat for Rohit’s team in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals in Australia. Since then, Rohit Sharma hasn’t participated in any T20Is for India. That was until his name surfaced for the imminent series against Afghanistan.
The lucky cricketer was also named captain of the team for the series, after a 14-month break from the game. In Rohit’s absence, Hardik Pandya led the T20I team regularly; however, Suryakumar Yadav took over in the preceding two series because of Hardik’s injuries. While they heal from their wounds, the two will be absent from the Afghanistan T20Is.
After the Afghanistan series selection was revealed, Srikkanth expressed confidence that Rohit will skipper the T20 World Cup on his YouTube channel.
“All signs suggest that Rohit Sharma is going to lead India in T20 World Cup,” Srikkanth said. “That’s how it’s going. The very fact that he is made captain nowâ€æ yes, Hardik Pandya is injured, Suryakumar Yadav, who was the deputy, is also not available due to injury. Jasprit Bumrah is also not there. Obviously, Rohit Sharma will be the captain.”
“See, Mumbai Indians making Hardik Pandya captain is the franchise’s choice. From the team selection, Rohit Sharma will only captain India in T20 World Cup in all probability. It’s moving toward that.”
Kris Srikkanth
Rohit has a commendable record as Indian T20I captain. He’s managed to secure 39 victories in 51 games, leading to a win rate of more than 76%.
“The wound of losing the World Cup is not over for him” – Kris Srikkanth on Rohit Sharma
According to Kris Srikkanth, Rohit Sharma might use the disappointment of losing the ODI World Cup final as motivation. This might fuel his drive to capture victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Team India had an impressive run of 10 straight wins until they met defeat. The turning point was the semi-final where Australia trumped them by seven wickets in the decisive match.
Even though he achieved victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup as a player and received five IPL trophies as a team leader, the individual who is 36 years old has not yet claimed an ICC title as the skipper of the Indian team.
Srikkanth shares an idea. He sees Rohit adopting an aggressive playing strategy in this year’s IPL. Much like the approach he took during the 50-over World Cup.
“Rohit will play with total freedom in the IPL. He will play attacking cricket, like he did in the World Cup. The wound of losing the World Cup is not over for him. If India had beaten Australia on November 19, things would have been different.”
“He now wants to win a World Cup as a captain,” he continued. “A T20 World Cup is a World Cup at the end of the day. He would love to achieve it. Yes, 50-over World Cup is considered big, but if you win a T20 World Cup, you are still a World Cup-winning captain.
Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth Added:
“At the end of the day, he wants to prove a point to himself. He seems to be determined to win a World Cup as captain.”
Kris Srikkanth
Rohit and notable player Virat Kohli are back on the T20I team for the Afghanistan series. This is after their upset at the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. The series of three games begins in Mohali. The date is Thursday, January 11.