(ICC Credit)
Kris Srikkanth candidly discussed Virat Kohli’s farewell performance at the World Cup and expressed his hope for Rohit Sharma to match MS Dhoni’s achievements in the tournament.
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli joined forces with Rohit Sharma and the rest of the team ahead of the T20 World Cup during the practice game against Bangladesh. Kohli, who was given a rest for the warm-up match against Bangladesh, saw Rishabh Pant taking up the No.3 slot. As two of the most seasoned players in the Indian T20I squad, Kohli and Rohit are determined to break India’s streak of not winning ICC events. Could the T20 World Cup 2024 mark the final chapter for Kohli and Rohit?
Since making his debut for India in Dambulla back in 2008, the prolific run-scorer Virat Kohli has been a consistent force, while his successor as captain, Rohit Sharma, entered the international arena a year prior. With the upcoming T20 World Cup slated for 2026, the current tournament could represent the final opportunity for Kohli and Rohit to secure an ICC trophy in the shortest format together. Former Indian batsman Srikkanth, sharing his perspective on Kohli’s enduring career, suggested that Kohli might still be a prominent figure in the 2026 edition of the World Cup.
“Is this a last chance for them to win together as a team (with Rohit and Kohli), probably yes. Keep in mind, the 2026 T20 World Cup is in India. So everybody would like to play in India. As far as I am concerned, the kind of fitness Virat Kohli has, he can easily play until 2026. So 2026 could be Virat’s last. For Virat Kohli, this is not the last chance. But he will be very keen because he has not won a T20 World Cup yet,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Discussing Virat Kohli’s successor, the former Indian opener expresses his desire for Rohit Sharma to follow in the footsteps of MS Dhoni at the T20 World Cup. Dhoni remains the sole Indian captain to clinch a T20 title. Additionally, Dhoni holds the unique distinction of leading India to victory in three significant ICC tournaments in the limited-overs format. “On the other hand, Rohit Sharma secured victory in 2007. His yearning for the ODI World Cup was palpable, but unfortunately, it eluded him. Now, his sights are set on the T20 World Cup, aiming to secure it for India as captain. Capturing the World Cup title holds immense significance for a captain. This is why MS Dhoni’s achievements are highly esteemed. He has triumphed in all the major tournaments. Rohit Sharma is driven by a desire to win for the team and the nation, transcending personal ambitions. That’s the essence of my perspective,” Srikkanth elaborated.
