Former Indian opening batter Gautam Gambhir has backed Rohit Sharma to lead Team India in the T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the United States of America and West Indies in June next year.

Rohit Sharma led India during the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023, where he scored 597 runs at an average of 54.27 and ended as the second-leading run-scorer only behind fellow-batter Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli scored 765 runs during the mega-event, setting the record for most runs in a single edition of the World Cup, a record previously held by Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were instrumental to India’s dominant performance during the ICC World Cup 2023, where they remained undefeated until the final, losing to champions Australia.

Gambhir stressed the inclusion of both star batters in India’s squad for next year’s T20 World Cup, with Sharma leading the side.

“They (Rohit and Kohli) both need to get picked, both should be picked and more importantly, I want to see Rohit Sharma as captain in the T20 World Cup,” Gambhir said during an interview with an Indian news outlet.

Notably, both batters have not featured in any T20I game for India since their 10-wicket loss against England in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals.

Since then Hardik Pandya has led India in the T20I cricket, while Suryakumar Yadav has taken the responsibility in the ongoing T20I series against Australia with Pandya out with an injury.

Gambhir appreciated Pandya as captain but suggested Rohit Sharma should be leading the Indian side in the T20 World Cup.

“Yes, Hardik has been captaining in T20Is but I still want to see Rohit as captain in the World Cup. Don’t pick Rohit Sharma just as a batter. Rohit is a phenomenal leader and has proved that with his batting in this ODI World Cup,” he added.

Rohit Sharma has led India in 51 T20I matches, guiding them to victory in 39 matches.

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