Rohit Sharma is set to lead the Indian cricket team at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, with the hopes of ending India’s long wait for a world title in the 50-over format. The captaincy torch has been passed from Virat Kohli to Rohit, who aims to replicate the success achieved by MS Dhoni’s iconic side in the 2011 edition of the World Cup.
During the schedule announcement event in Mumbai, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag highlighted the significance of winning the trophy for a legendary player. In 2011, the Indian team played the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar, and Sehwag believes that the current batch of players will be motivated to win it for Virat Kohli, just like they did for the Little Master.
When Rohit took over as captain in 2021, he inherited a team that had tasted success in major tournaments. However, their journey since then has had its ups and downs. India reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022, but faced defeat against Australia in the final of the 2023 Test Championship.
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As the 2023 World Cup approaches, questions arise about the future of India’s batting stalwarts, Kohli and Rohit. Having led the Indian batting line-up for a decade, both players are expected to enter the twilight phase of their white-ball careers after the tournament. Sourav Ganguly, former Indian skipper, shared his thoughts on their future, emphasizing the importance of performance in the continuously evolving cricket landscape.
Sourav Ganguly stated, “There are world tournaments every year – T20 cricket, and 50-over cricket. It’s not like as in the past when we started – one every four years and then the Champions Trophy came in. So it’s about performances, and I am sure Rohit as captain and Virat will be wanting to make it a big one, not from a personal point of view but from winning it. I think that’s the biggest.”
Interestingly, Rohit was not part of the Indian team that won the 50-over World Cup in 2011. Kohli, who played a crucial role in that tournament, famously carried Tendulkar on his shoulders during the victory lap at the Wankhede Stadium.
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Virat Kohli’s gesture symbolized the immense respect and gratitude the team had for Tendulkar, who had carried the nation’s hopes for 21 years. With over 12,000 runs and 46 centuries to his name, Kohli is yet to taste his second ODI World Cup glory. As the tournament approaches, Rohit Sharma and his team are determined to write their own chapter of success and bring the prestigious trophy back to India.
