"This is the last chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli" - Mohammad Kaif on why winning the World Cup is important for star duo
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has pointed out that the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup is the last chance for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to lay hands on the elusive trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included the two senior cricketers in the team and they will look to live up to expectations by bringing home the trophy.
Rohit and Kohli skipped the shortest format after the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final and only returned during the three-match series against Afghanistan in January this year. The former played all three games of the series and scored an unbeaten 121 in the final fixture, while Kohli featured in two matches.
Several experts felt that picking Kohli and Rohit for the mega event would be a move backwards, but the selectors placed their faith in the veteran batters.
With only a few days to go before the big-ticket tournament, Kaif has claimed that this T20 World Cup could be the last opportunity for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to win another major tournament.
"Rohit Sharma knows he isn't going to play for too long now. Just two to three years more. Same with Virat Kohli," Kaif said on Star Sports. "So this is the last chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They lost the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. They played as if they had the cup snatched away from them. Hearts were broken and fans were devastated."
India were the outright favorite to win the ODI World Cup at home last year. They steamrolled every opponent to reach the final, only to be stunned by Australia in front of a jam-packed Narendra Modi Stadium.
Kohli and Rohit were the two top scorers in the tournament but couldn't steer the team home in the final.
"There are only two main matches" - Mohammad Kaif on India's biggest challenge in the T20 World Cup
Mohammad Kaif further reckoned that India have a relatively easy group and should qualify for the semi-final without losing much sweat. He feels the semi-final and the final will be the biggest challenge for the Men in Blue.
Rohit Sharma and company are pitted against Pakistan, Canada, Ireland, and co-hosts USA in Group A.
"India hardly have competition in the group stage. There are only two main matches - the semi-final and the final. Are you ready for those two days? That's the biggest test for Rohit Sharma," Kaif added.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5.