One of the chief architects of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup triumphs, Yuvraj Singh wants to see "one of his closest friends in cricket" Rohit Sharma wearing a World Cup medal as captain.
It's been more than a decade since Team India last won a global title. After the Champions Trophy triumph in 2013, the side has lost as many as five ICC event finals and bowed out in the semi-finals on numerous occasions.
Last year, the Men in Blue had a great chance to end the ICC trophy drought but they once again failed to cross the final hurdle. The Rohit Sharma-led side won all the league-stage matches and the semi-final before losing the title clash of the Cricket World Cup to Australia in Ahmedabad.
According to Yuvraj, Rohit is the ideal man to lead the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to be held in the West Indies and UAE from June 1 to June 29.
"Very crucial (Rohit's presence as captain). I think we need a really good captain, a sensible captain who takes decisions well under pressure, and he’s the one to take them," Yuvraj told the ICC website.
“He was the captain when we lost in the 50-over (2023 World Cup) final. He has won five IPL trophies (for Mumbai Indians) as a captain. I think we need somebody like him to captain India," he added.
When Rohit made his India debut during the 2007 Ireland tour, Yuvraj was already a established star in India’s white-ball team. Over the years, their friendship grew into a close bond.
Talking about his bond with Rohit, Yuvraj said: "Very poor English. Very funny guy. From the streets of Borivali (Mumbai), we always tease him."
"But a great guy at heart. The more success he's had, he has never changed as a person. That's the beauty of Rohit Sharma. Fun-loving, always having fun with the guys. A great leader on the park and one of my closest friends from cricket."
“I really want to see Rohit Sharma with a World Cup trophy and a World Cup medal (as captain). He really deserves it,” he further remarked.
India will open their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5.
