In a recent statement, former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly shared his optimistic outlook on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, anticipating the opener to lead the Indian cricket team until the T20 World Cup in 2024. The declaration follows the ongoing debate about Rohit’s leadership, particularly in T20Is, sparked by India’s heartbreak in the ODI World Cup final.
Ganguly emphasized Rohit’s outstanding performance in the recent World Cup, making a case for his return as captain in all formats once he becomes available for selection. Rohit, who has refrained from T20Is for over a year, is widely expected to resume captaincy duties for the T20 World Cup scheduled in June.
During Rohit’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav has taken charge of the T20Is against South Africa, while KL Rahul leads the team in ODIs. The T20I series is a precursor to India’s participation in the World Test Championship, where Rohit will resume captaincy duties in the Test series.
Ganguly stressed the significance of Rohit and Virat Kohli as integral components of India’s T20I setup, citing their exceptional performance in the recent World Cup. He expressed confidence that the duo would play a pivotal role in India’s T20 ambitions.
Both Rohit and Kohli haven’t participated in a T20I since the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup. The BCCI’s stance on their inclusion in India’s plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup remains unclear. Hardik Pandya was named India’s T20 captain post the 2022 T20 World Cup, but due to his injury during the ODI World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav currently leads the team in the ongoing T20 series against Australia.
Ganguly, acknowledging the challenging schedule, supported Rohit and Kohli’s decision to take a break from the limited-overs matches during the South Africa tour. He emphasized the need for players to recuperate, especially considering the intense pressure of the World Cup.
Looking ahead, Ganguly expects Rohit Sharma, a natural leader, to continue as captain until the T20 World Cup in 2024, expressing confidence in his ability to guide the team to further successes.
