T20 World Cup 2022: It’s a privilege, captaining my team for the first time in 15 years – Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma will lead India for the first time in the World Cup and it is indeed a proud moment for the Mumbai batter. Rohit was handed over the captaincy reins after Virat Kohli had decided to relinquish his duties after the previous edition of the T20 World Cup.

Since then Rohit has done a fine job for the Indian team as he has led from the front. Rohit has all the leadership experience under his belt and he will be looking to guide his team to glory. India had last won a major ICC trophy back in 2013 when MS Dhoni had led the team to a Champions Trophy triumph and Rohit would want to put an end to the drought.

Speaking ahead of India’s warm-up match against Australia, Rohit Sharma told the host broadcasters, “Feeling good about it. Wanted to try out things, we don’t mind batting first, and setting up a target. Nice fresh pitch. We came here pretty early, we were in Perth having a preparatory camp. We are almost there. These games will allow us to get where we want. It’s obviously getting to the business end, and we want to try a few things.”

“In my mind, I know what bowlers are going to play. It is important to give them that confidence, few of the guys have come for the first time in Australia. It is a nice place to play cricket. [Captaining the side] It is a privilege. It is the first time in15 years that I am captaining my country at a WC. We want to enjoy and have fun,” he signed off.

Meanwhile, Rohit was also part of the 2007 T20 World Cup victory when a young Indian team had stunned one and all. Rohit had scored a fine knock of unbeaten 50 runs off just 40 balls against South Africa and had helped his team set up a score of 153 runs. In fact, Rohit made his T20I debut in the World Cup match against England but didn’t get to bat.

“When I was picked for that World Cup I did not go with any expectations about myself,” Rohit said while addressing the press in Melbourne while haring his experience of playing his first World Cup,

“I just wanted to enjoy the tournament and play the tournament as it was my first ever World Cup. I had no understanding of what it was like to be part of a World Cup and how big it was going to be until we actually won the World Cup,” he added.

“It has been a long journey and the game has evolved so much,” Rohit said.

He further added, “You can literally see how it is played now compared to what it was like in 2007. 140 or 150 was a good score back then and now people try and get that score in 14 or 15 overs.”

Rohit was dismissed after scoring 15 runs in the warm-up match against Australia in Brisbane on Monday. India will play their opening match against Pakistan on Sunday.