As captain Rohit Sharma prepares to lead India in the ICC T20 World Cup starting on June 5, he is keen to put behind the disappointment of last year’s ODI World Cup title loss on home soil. This year’s tournament will take place in the US and the West Indies, with India beginning their campaign against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Veteran cricket Shikhar Dhawan, expressing confidence in Rohit’s leadership, believed his experience and skill will guide India to a much-awaited ICC title victory.
Rohit Sharma to break India’s dry spell in the T20 World Cup
India’s journey in the T20 World Cup has been a rollercoaster since their triumph in the inaugural 2007 edition, where Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team defeated Pakistan by five runs in a thrilling final. Despite reaching the finals again in 2014, India fell short against Sri Lanka, and since then, the trophy has remained elusive. Rohit Sharma, now 36, aims to end this dry spell and bring an ICC trophy for India, which has been out of reach since their Champions Trophy win in 2011.
Shikhar Dhawan was optimistic about India’s prospects under Rohit’s captaincy. “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,” Dhawan told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
Dhawan also expressed his support for players like Shivam Dube, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sanju Samson, who have earned their spots in the squad. “It’s great to see players like Shivam Dube, Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal), and Sanju (Samson) getting their deserved spot in the ICC tournament. We have a very balanced side and we need to play really good cricket. Good luck, Team India, we are all rooting for you guys,” he added.
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Virat Kohli crucial for T20 World Cup
Shikhar Dhawan believes Virat Kohli’s presence will be crucial for India’s success in the T20 World Cup. “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 veteran batsman 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 three formats, and if India are to win the World Cup, he will play a vital role in it,” Dhawan added.
Kohli has consistently delivered outstanding performances. In the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, he amassed 296 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 98.66, including four half-centuries. His unbeaten 82-run match-winning knock against Pakistan was a highlight of the tournament.
Kohli continued his stellar form in the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023, hosted by India. Despite the team’s loss to Australia in the final, Kohli emerged as the highest run-scorer with 765 runs in 11 matches, averaging 90.31. His remarkable performance earned him the Man of the Series award, featuring three centuries and six fifties.
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