India captain Rohit Sharma, on Wednesday, gave a heartfelt tribute to the “three pillars” behind India’s recent T20 World Cup triumph. Rohit, while basking in the glory of this monumental win, also sent out a stern warning to the global cricketing fraternity, expressing his resolve to replicate the same success in the upcoming Champions Trophy and World Test Championship finals next year.
On June 29, Rohit etched his name in history by becoming the first captain since MS Dhoni to guide India to their second T20 World Cup victory in 17 years. This win also marked India’s first ICC trophy in over a decade and their first world title in 13 years. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, where he was honored as the men’s international cricketer of the year, Rohit credited former head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, and BCCI secretary Jay Shah as the unsung heroes of this remarkable comeback, especially after the heartbreaking loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at home.
India captain Rohit Sharma
“It was my dream to transform this team, to ensure that we create an environment where players can express themselves freely without the pressure of statistics or results,” Rohit shared. “This vision became a reality with immense support from my three pillars—Mr. Jay Shah, Mr. Rahul Dravid, and Mr. Ajit Agarkar. Their contributions were vital, along with the efforts of the players who stepped up at crucial moments to help us achieve this feat.”
Rohit, known for his leadership with five IPL trophies under his belt, made it clear that his thirst for victory is far from quenched.
“There’s a reason I’ve won five IPL trophies. The hunger for winning doesn’t fade—it only grows stronger. We’ll keep pushing as a team, striving for greater achievements in the future,” he declared.
As India shifts focus to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year and their third consecutive World Test Championship final in 2025, Rohit’s resolve remains unshaken. Despite a rocky start in their preparation with a 0-2 loss against Sri Lanka under the new guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, India is gearing up for their final ODI series before the ICC tournament, set to take place against England at home in February 2025.