Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has opened up about the transformation in the team’s mindset that paved the way for their back-to-back ICC triumphs — the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
From Repeated Heartbreaks to Historic Triumphs
Rohit, who took over as India’s all-format captain from Virat Kohli in 2022, admitted that the team had to make significant changes after repeatedly falling short in major tournaments. Reflecting on those setbacks, including the 2014 T20 World Cup final defeat to Sri Lanka and the 2016 semifinal loss to the West Indies, he said the shift was necessary.
“It’s not about one or two years of work. We had come so close to winning the trophy many times but couldn’t get over the line,” Rohit said at the CEAT Cricket Ratings Awards in Mumbai. “That’s when we decided to do something different. One or two players alone can’t do it — the entire team has to believe in that vision. And that team-wide commitment helped me and Rahul Dravid as we prepared for the T20 World Cup and then the Champions Trophy.”
Leadership, Teamwork, and Redemption
Rohit, who was recently removed as ODI captain, credited the collective effort of the squad for India’s turnaround. He praised the team’s willingness to adapt and embrace a new approach — a factor he believes was key to ending India’s long wait for ICC glory.
The 38-year-old also acknowledged the crucial role of head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure concluded after the T20 World Cup triumph, in shaping the team’s resurgence.
Looking Ahead: Australia Awaits
Despite the leadership change, Rohit remains a cornerstone of Indian cricket. With over 11,000 ODI runs in 273 matches at an average of 48.76, he stands as one of India’s greatest one-day batters. His record in Australia is equally impressive, with 1,328 runs in 30 matches, including five centuries and four fifties.
Rohit will next be seen in action during the ODI series in Australia starting October 19 — a stage where he’ll aim to continue his dominance and inspire India once again.
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