Despite being the most balanced team in the tournament, India couldn’t clinch the ODI title and also suffered a loss to Australia in the World Test Championship final last June.
However, Rohit didn’t lose hope. He chose to lead the team in the T20 World Cup, guiding them to a title win and ending an 11-year wait for an ICC title. This marked India’s second T20 World Cup triumph, the first being in the inaugural edition in 2007 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Following India’s title victory, former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif praised the team and captain Rohit. Yuvraj hailed Rohit as the No. 1 captain, while Kaif commended Rohit not only for his captaincy but also for his man-management and batting throughout the tournament.
“Rohit Sharma has won the World Cup. He has handled the team really well. He is an amazing captain. He is a leader. You will not find a person like him. He backed every player. When India lost the 2023 World Cup final, he was crying. He was very emotional. He led the team, took them to title win and took the retirement as well. Congratulations to coach Rahul Dravid on the memorable win too,” Kaif said in a video message with Yuvraj.
On the other hand, Yuvraj Singh said: “I am very happy for Rohit Sharma. Rohit jaisa banda nahi dekha aaj tak. He’s a brilliant captain. Towards the end when the match was in a critical situation, he brought Bumrah in at the right moment, and that changed the game.
“Winning from there was a huge achievement. I am very happy for the guy, very happy for coach Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli. Captain Rohit Sharma, love the guy. Love the Hitman, I am very happy for him. Number one captain,” Yuvraj, the 2011 World Cup-winning star said.
Praising Bumrah, Yuvraj said: “Jassi jaisa koi nahi. He was just exceptional in the tournament with his bowling. I have never seen someone like Bumrah who has so much control in his bowling.”