Concerned over Team India's failure to cross the last hurdle in various major world events in recent years, vice-captain Rohit Sharma believes the Virat Kohli-led side should take a cue from IPL franchise Mumbai Indians (MI).
Under Rohit's leadership, Mumbai Indians have won four IPL titles, the most by any team in the league's history, with their ability to pull off victory from the jaws of defeat in the finals standing-out. Mumbai Indians have had two such finals, in 2017 and 2019, against Rising Pune Supergiants and Chennai Super Kings, respectively, where the team has won by 1 run.
"We lost ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final after being unbeaten till the final. In last year’s World Cup as well, we were mostly unbeaten, we lost to England and then against New Zealand in the semi-final," Rohit said on a youtube show 'Double Trouble' hosted by prominent women's cricketers Smriti Mandana and Jemimah Rodrigues.
"Team India should play ICC events like Mumbai Indians play IPL – (lose a few at the start and continue winning all the games till the end of the tournament) to climb the points table gradually and eventually win the tournament."
India last won an ICC event back in 2013 under MS Dhoni's captaincy when it lifted the Champions Trophy in England. Since then, the team has failed at the 2014 T20 World Cup (final), 2015 ODI World Cup (semi-final), 2016 T20 World Cup (semi-final), 2017 Champions Trophy (final) and 2019 ODI World Cup (semi-final).
On the other hand, Rohit's Mumbai Indians have won the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
The team would've been hoping to lift its fifth IPL trophy this year, but the league's 13th edition remains under suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
