T20 World Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma opens up on India’s title drought ahead of high-octane clash against Pakistan

Team India will begin their hunt to end a long-standing ICC trophy drought with a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23.

Notably, between 2007 and 2013, the Men in Blue won three ICC trophies – the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013 – under the inspiring leadership of MS Dhoni. However, nine years since then, India, despite being considered one of the strongest teams, has failed to grab another ICC title.

Ahead of the blockbuster match against Pakistan at the MCG, India captain Rohit Sharma opened up on the team’s title drought and said he is confident that his troops will excel in the multi-team tournament this year.

“I do not want to say pressure, but it is a challenge for us to come out on top in ICC tournaments. Yes, there has not been the performance that we would like to show in ICC tournaments, especially big games, but I believe the opportunity always comes, and we have the opportunity now to come here and do well, so I think we will have to focus on certain things to get that right,” said Rohit in the pre-match press conference.

Notably, since 2013, India have reached the final on three occasions – T20 World Cup in 2014, Champions Trophy in 2017 and the ICC Test Championship in 2021 – but have not managed to win a trophy. Rohit said it is certainly a challenge for India, and they will display their best efforts to win a second T20 crown.

“Yes, it is a challenge not to win the ICC trophy for nine years, if I am not wrong. The last one we won was in 2013. It has been a challenge with a team like us, there are a lot of expectations, and we are certainly a little disappointed with that. This tournament gives us that chance to change it and do well. We certainly know we have to play our best cricket to do well here. We need to take it one game at a time and then go ahead,” added Rohit.

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October 22, 2022 at 06:44PM