Sunil Gavaskar supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma joining India’s T20 World Cup team. He feels their experience and dependable fielding abilities are key. Both players have expressed desire to play in June’s T20 World Cup. The team leaders, however, haven’t decided.
The only T20Is games India has at home before the World Cup are against Afghanistan. These games are crucial for preparation because the World Cup will be held in the West Indies and the U.S.A.
On Star Sports, Gavaskar discussed both Kohli and Rohit’s selection. He mentioned Kohli’s fantastic form and both players’ exceptional fielding skills. These traits have them in the running for inclusion.
“Kohli’s form has been outstanding in the last 1.5 years. He played unbelievably in the 2023 World Cup, making 750 runs with 3 centuries. So there is no doubt about his limited-overs batting. But what makes me feel good is their fielding capacity. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still great fielders and will be of great help on the field.”
Sunil Gavaskar
In the previous T20 World Cup in 2022, Rohit and Kohli’s last play was for India. It happened during their intense semi-final loss to England.
“That win of India helped IPL as well to take off in India” – Sunil Gavaskar on the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph
Sunil Gavaskar warmly acknowledged the Indian team who won the 2007 T20 World Cup. Their victory played a pivotal role in the rise of T20 cricket and the IPL.
Under MS Dhoni, a young, vibrant team challenged and beat numerous odds to win the first T20 World Cup in South Africa. After losing their initial Super Six game against New Zealand, the Indian players changed the tide. They powerfully ousted England and South Africa, cementing their place in the semi-finals.
In a nerve-wracking semi-final, India outperformed a strong Australian team. They concluded their already impressive run with a five-run win against their staunch opponents Pakistan in the final.
“I was present at the 2007 T20 World Cup, and it was one of the most exciting times. I’ve seen MS Dhoni and Irfan Pathan playing on the field and winning for India. Clearly, from there, the craze for T20 boomed in India. Before that, nobody was very well-versed with this format. That win of India helped IPL as well to take off in India.”
Sunil Gavaskar
Since the first event, India has struggled to recreate its dominance in T20 World Cups.
They have only reached one final, in 2014, and have been eliminated before the semi-finals in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2021.