India skipper Rohit Sharma has all but confirmed his participation in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup. The highly-anticipated event is scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States in June this year.
His comments came after the third T20I against Afghanistan on Wednesday (January 17). The recently concluded three-match series marked the return of Rohit Sharma as well as Virat Kohli to the T20I team. Both the senior batters had not played a T20I for more than a year and were looking unlikely to play the T20 World Cup before the selectors recalled them.
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, Hardik Pandya was leading the team and did well. He was being tipped by many to lead the team in the T20 World Cup as well because of his recent captaincy performances in recent times. Apart from impressing India, Pandya also impressed as a captain in the IPL. Recently, he also replaced Rohit as the captain of Mumbai Indians.
Rohit Sharma confirms participation in T20 World Cup:
Speaking at the end of the game, Rohit Sharma indirectly confirmed his participation in this year’s T20 World Cup. The India skipper was expressing his disappointment over losing the World Cup final last year before saying that he and his teammates have another opportunity this year.
“I don’t want to think about it (the World Cup final). This 50-over World Cup is the biggest for me. It’s not like I don’t give importance to the T20 World Cup and Test Championship, but we grew up watching this 50-over World Cup,” Rohit Sharma told JioCinema.
“And when it happens in India, there is a great atmosphere. We tried our best, but unfortunately, we couldn’t make it. The entire team was disappointed. I’m sure everyone was sad.
“Now, we have another opportunity. We will focus on how to make the best use of that opportunity and win the World Cup,” he added.
Official – Rohit Sharma himself confirmed his participation in t20 World cup as captain .
2min silence for Hardik pandya and his gym videos 😭#INDvsAFG | #RohitSharma | #Hitmanpic.twitter.com/72oP8y3u4s
— Immy|| 🇮🇳 (@TotallyImro45) January 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma starred with the bat as India beat Afghanistan after two super overs. The India skipper scored a record fifth T20I and shared an unbeaten stand of 190 runs with Rinku Singh to help his team recover from 22 for 4 and post 212/4. Rohit scored 121 and Rinku scored 69.
In reply, Afghanistan finished on 212 as well thanks to half-centuries from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Gulbadin Naib. In the first super over, both the teams scored 16 runs. In the second over, India scored 11 while Afghanistan lost both of their wickets for just 1.
