Despite expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership during the ODI World Cup final, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has advocated for Rohit Sharma to captain the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma, who led India to the final of the recent tournament, couldn’t secure victory against Australia, resulting in a six-wicket defeat. Nonetheless, India’s journey to the final was impressive, as they remained unbeaten before stumbling at the last hurdle.
Gambhir, known for his forthright opinions, underscored that although Hardik Pandya has been the captain for T20 Internationals recently, his preference for the top leadership role in the upcoming T20 World Cup lies with Rohit Sharma. Acknowledging the skills of both Sharma and Virat Kohli, Gambhir emphasized the need for their inclusion in the squad. “Absolutely, both [Kohli and Rohit] need to be picked, and they should be picked. And more importantly, I want to see Rohit Sharma captain in the T20 World Cup,” Gambhir expressed in an interview with Sportskeeda.
He further highlighted the impact of Rohit’s batting and suggested if Sharma is chosen to play in the T20 World Cup, it should be as a captain and not just as a batsman. Gambhir’s remarks came in light of the BCCI’s recent announcement appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the Indian team’s captain for the upcoming T20I series against Australia. This decision was due to the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, who has been rested after the World Cup final, and vice-captain Hardik Pandya, who is currently sidelined with an injury.
Suryakumar Yadav’s interim captaincy will start on Thursday, November 23, against Australia. He is set to lead a team with Ruturaj Gaikwad as his deputy for the initial three T20 Internationals. Shreyas Iyer is scheduled to join the squad for the last two matches in Raipur and Bengaluru and will take over as vice-captain from Gaikwad.
Looking ahead, the T20 World Cup is slated to take place the following year in the West Indies and the United States. This event promises to be a significant undertaking for the teams involved, with preparations already underway across the participating nations.
India’s performance in international cricket, especially in the limited-overs format, has been under the microscope following their recent near miss at global dominance. The conversation around leadership is not new to Indian cricket, with past transitions often generating considerable debate and speculation. Gambhir’s stance aligns with a section of cricket analysts and fans who believe that proven experience and a track record should be paramount when selecting a captain for a marquee tournament like the T20 World Cup.
The BCCI and cricket fans are waiting expectantly to see how the team will fare in the interim series and beyond, as well as what choices will be made regarding the captaincy. For updates on the T20 World Cup 2023 and more sports news, fans are encouraged to follow official sports handles on social media and download cricket apps to stay current with the latest developments.
In conclusion, as the West Indies and the USA gear up to host the T20 World Cup next year, discussions around the ideal captain for the Indian team continue to intensify. Amid various viewpoints, Gambhir’s support for Rohit Sharma adds a notable dimension to the ongoing dialogue about India’s cricketing prospects on the global stage.