News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd August 2024
Rohit Sharma solidified his place in Indian cricket history by leading the team to a triumphant victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending a 17-year wait for the title. Under his leadership, India not only secured the World Cup but also broke an 11-year drought for an ICC trophy, making Rohit the third Indian captain to achieve such a feat after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.
The 37-year-old captain guided India to an unbeaten run in the tournament, a remarkable achievement that has now placed him alongside legends like Kapil, who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup, and Dhoni, who captained the team to wins in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.
Reflecting on this historic success, Rohit Sharma expressed that his ambition was to transform the Indian cricket team, focusing less on statistics and more on creating an environment where players could perform freely. At the CEAT Cricket Awards in Mumbai, Rohit credited his success to what he called his ‘three pillars’: former head coach Rahul Dravid, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Rohit highlighted the critical roles played by these three individuals in supporting his vision. “It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much. That is what was required,” Rohit shared. He emphasized the importance of the backing he received from Dravid, Shah, and Agarkar in enabling him to lead the team to its World Cup victory. He also acknowledged the players who contributed at various points during the tournament.
Rohit took over as India’s T20I captain in November 2021, following Virat Kohli’s resignation, and soon assumed leadership across all formats. His journey as captain had its challenges, including a disappointing 10-wicket loss to England in the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup and a crushing defeat by Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Despite these setbacks, Rohit led India with remarkable dominance to the final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, winning 10 consecutive games before falling short in the final against Australia in Ahmedabad.
However, the 2024 T20 World Cup marked a turning point in Rohit’s captaincy, as India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The team’s performance was a testament to their resilience and skill, with seven victories and one game washed out against Canada. This remarkable feat made Rohit the first captain to win a T20 World Cup without losing a match.
Key players also shone during the tournament, with Jasprit Bumrah earning the Player of the Tournament (POTM) award for his 15 wickets in eight games. Virat Kohli, despite not being named one of Rohit’s ‘three pillars’, played a crucial role in the final, securing the Player of the Match (POTM) award. Hardik Pandya also delivered consistently with both bat and ball, contributing significantly to India’s success.
In conclusion, Rohit Sharma’s leadership, backed by his ‘three pillars’, paved the way for India’s resurgence in the T20 World Cup, making 2024 a year to remember for Indian cricket.
