On finally retiring from T20I cricket after that elusive T20 World Cup title in Barbados, captain Rohit Sharma revealed that it had been a dream of his to alter the team without thinking too much about results.
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team broke the decade-long ICC title jinx by winning their second title in this format after defeating South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024. Under the leadership of Rohit, the Men in Blue had failed to win the World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup after losing against Australia in the finals in 2023.
The swashbuckling opener also doffed his hat at the Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah, former head coach Rahul Dravid, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for their support in transforming the team into a fearless unit.
"It was my dream to transform this team, not worry too much about stats and results, and also make sure we create an environment where people can go out and play freely, without thinking too much. Obviously, I got a lot of help from my three pillars Jay Shah, Rahul Dravid, and chairman of selector Ajit Agarkar. That was critical for me to do what I did. Obviously not to forget players who came in at different points in time and helped the team to achieve what we have achieved today," Rohit said in a video posted by BCCI on X.
On Wednesday, Rohit was given 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year' while Dravid was accorded the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023-24 in Mumbai. India's batting stalwart Virat Kohli was named the 'Men's ODI Batter of the Year' while on the bowling front Mohammed Shami was awarded the 'ODI Bowler of the Year'.
The 37-year-old finished as the second-highest run-getter in T20 World Cup with 257 runs including three half-centuries at a strike rate of 156.70. He played a major role in providing solid starts for the team on the slow pitches of USA and West Indies.
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