Sanjay Manjrekar disrespects Rohit Sharma’s T20 captaincy with 'Cricket World Cup' remark

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has shared his view on cricket’s major tournaments ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that the “Cricket World Cup” label should be reserved only for the 50-over event, as the T20 tournament is played every two years.

The fifth T20I between India and New Zealand will take place at the Greenfield International Stadium on Saturday, January 31. Following the series, Suryakumar Yadav and his side will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the United States of America (USA) at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7.

‘Cricket World Cup’ Will Always Be the 50-Over World Cup - Sanjay Manjrekar

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2025, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the term “Cricket World Cup” should be used only for the 50-over tournament, which is held once every four years. Manjrekar stated that the T20 event should be called the World T20.

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"For me the ‘Cricket World Cup’ will always be the 50 overs World Cup. The T20 version held every two years must not be given the same status of a World Cup that comes once in 4 years. I prefer the original name for it - The WorldT20," Sanjay Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

For me the ‘Cricket World Cup’ will
always be the 50 overs World Cup.

The T20 version held every two years must not be given the same status of a World Cup that comes once in 4 years. I prefer the original name for it - The WorldT20.

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Rohit Sharma’s Recent Journey With Team India

India bounced back strongly after losing the 2023 World Cup final under Rohit Sharma. The team went on to win two major ICC white-ball titles soon after.

India ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought by beating South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Following that triumph, Rohit retired from T20Is. In 2025, India added another title by defeating New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy in Dubai.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain ahead of the Australia tour last year. Rohit was last seen in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, where he scored 61 runs in three games at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 76.25.

India’s Schedule for T20 World Cup 2026

India will begin their T20 World Cup title defence on February 7 with a match against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside the USA, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands.

India will play their second match against Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. The group stage will conclude with a match against the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams will compete, split into five groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eight stage.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups, and the top two from each will progress to the semifinals. The final is scheduled to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, provided Pakistan do not qualify.

Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar swoons over Abhishek Sharma, praise turns into full-blown crush moment