T20 World Cup 2024

‘Want to enjoy, have fun’ – Rohit Sharma on captaining India for the first time in 20-20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma said that he is honored to captain India in the T20 format. He has been playing the format since 2007. He spoke ahead of the warm-up game against Australia, and he spoke about the importance of coming early to Australia.

He said that he had been playing the format for 15 years, but it is a privilege to lead the side for the very first time. Rohit took over the Indian captaincy in all formats for the Men in Blue in June 2022. He has led the side well in the shortest format and this 2022 edition of the 20-20 World Cup will be his first marquee one.

“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,” he told the host broadcasters.

“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 added.

T20 Cricket has changed so much in the last 15 years – Rohit Sharma

He talked about how he started his journey in the World Cup in 2007. He made his debut for India against England where he did not get a chance to bat but, he proved his worth against South Africa when he scored a vital 50 from 40 balls and he also made a game-changing 30 from 16 balls against Pakistan in the 2007 20-20 World Cup final.

“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. “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.”