Another opportunity for Rohit Sharma to leave his mark on Indian cricket history is about to present itself. With Rohit returning to captain the T20I team after a 14-month break, all eyes will be on him as the Men in Blue prepare for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan beginning on January 11.
When injuries kept Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya out of action, Rohit’s path to leadership suddenly became clear. Virat Kohli’s return suggested a well-thought-out T20 World Cup strategy, and the senior selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t hesitate to resort to the seasoned player.
In an earlier honest statement, Rohit Sharma had talked of winning something big.’ While the recent Test series in South Africa did not result in the ultimate border victory, it did yield a unique Test series draw and a historic first-ever victory in Cape Town.
Rohit now faces a personal milestone as he spearheads the T20I assault against Afghanistan.
In terms of matches won, the explosive opener has the opportunity to surpass all previous Indian T20I captains in terms of success. With 39 wins in 51 games, Rohit Sharma is currently behind World Cup-winning former captain MS Dhoni, who has 42 wins in 72 games.
Sharma would tie Dhoni as the most successful India captain in men’s T20I cricket if his team wins all three of their remaining matches against Afghanistan. The percentage of wins is more important than the number of triumphs alone. With a 76.74% victory percentage, Sharma already holds the record for most wins as India’s captain in Twenty20 internationals. In contrast, the 50 T20Is that Kohli captained saw a 60 win %. Beyond leadership, the rivalry between Rohit and Kohli is being fought out on the batting charts, where it was put on hold for an extended period of time.
Sharma’s leadership and batting abilities take center stage as the country considers the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Cricket fans are excited about the match against Afghanistan, not only because it may be the start of a new chapter in Rohit Sharma’s career.
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