IND vs NZ: "Was He Ready For The Captaincy? We All Knew That He Wanted To Be The Skipper" - Former Pakistan Pacer Shoaib Akhtar Questions On Rohit Sharma Following 2022 T20 World Cup Exit

Team India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 campaign ended in disappointment as they were beaten by England in the semi-finals at the Adelaide Oval. The Rohit Sharma-led team managed to score 168 for the loss of six wickets at the end of 20 overs, but England chased down the target in just 16 overs without losing any wickets.

After India’s disappointing World Cup in the UAE last year, Rohit Sharma was named as the T20I captain. Veterans believe that Rohit can disrupt the long streak with his captaincy, which includes 5 IPL trophies. India had a strong start to the World Cup, winning their first two games before losing to South Africa. India were outplayed by England in all departments in the semifinals.

With Captaincy Comes Responsibility – Shoaib Akhtar

Speaking to Zee News, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar opined that he never understood if Rohit was ever ready for the captaincy role. He said that since Rohit is on the verge of retirement from this format, it would be better for India to look for a new captain for the format.

“Was he ready for the captaincy? I still haven’t received an answer to this question. We all knew that he wanted to be the skipper. But this is not an easy task to do. You have to live and breathe captaincy and also have to sacrifice family life. That is why Rohit should be spending more time with the team, which will help him in building the team as well. He just looked a bit depressed and off,” he said.

“With captaincy comes responsibility. If the team performs, you get the credit, but when you face criticisms, you don’t point fingers at anyone. And Rohit Sharma’s continuation, I won’t be able to see that (mujhse dekha nehi jayegi). Because he is close to his retirement in T20 format.

“Kohli took so much of time just to realise that captaincy is now gone and that he needs to come of that phase. Yet he took breaks from the game and ten somehow, luckily, Pakistan were troubled by Kohli. Now he is in a good space. I think for Rohit Sharma, it has been too much to ask from him.”

England will face Pakistan in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday, November 13 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and will be hoping to take revenge for their 1992 ODI World Cup final defeat at the same venue.

Also read: T20 World Cup Final 2022: “The Character The Guys Have Shown To Come Back From Losing To Ireland And Now Being In A World Cup Final Is Amazing” – Jonny Bairstow Heaps Praise On The Jos Buttler-led Team