India will once again make its way on the global cricket stage, hoping to end ICC title jinx when Rohit Sharma leads the team at the T20 World Cup in United States and West Indies from June 2.
After a heartbreaking defeat in the ODI World Cup final against Australia on home soil last year, India’s wait for another ICC trophy was over since a decade.
The 2013 Champions Trophy under captain MS Dhoni was India’s last victory in an ICC tournament, as well also leading them to titles at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
In a video on Thursday shared by Star Sports, Rohit, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant talk about India’s chances, fans’ hopes and responsibilities of being a player.
ROHIT SHARMA
“We did in 2007, that is when we won it. Ever since then we got there but haven’t been able to clinch it. So I believe this time around we have got a good opportunity to come out of here as champions.”
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VIRAT KOHLI
“Expectations to hamesha rehne wali hai, India jahan pe be khelegi (expectations will always be there wherever India plays). It would be unrealistic for me to sit here and say that people wouldn’t expect or hope for things from us. In our country cricket is just looked at differently; it is also our strength but if we focus too much on it then it becomes weakness. Let’s see it as our power rather than our weakness; let’s try take motivation from there with so many fans behind us who want us to do better.”
RISHABH PANT
“I love responsibilty all the time because when you join into the team as one player who needs important on the team that’s when responsibilty comes to you. But it is better if you get the responsibilty and do well for your team in that situation, as a player it is all we can do best for the team. So looking forward to the responsibility.”
India will start their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.