Former India skipper Rohit Sharma vowed to be present in the stadium to witness the action during the 2026 T20 World Cup. The tournament, set to begin on February 7, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Rohit previously led India to victory in the 2024 edition held in the West Indies and the USA and was also instrumental in India’s triumph in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup.
The 38-year-old, who has featured in every T20 World Cup so far, will miss the 2026 edition after retiring from the format following the 2024 tournament. Speaking about the upcoming World Cup on JioStar, Rohit shared his thoughts (via TOI):
“We were talking about this at home, that it will be strange watching it from home, especially the T20 World Cup. From the time it started until now, I have been part of every World Cup, so it will feel different. When you miss a World Cup, the reality really sinks in. That’s when you realise you’re not going to be part of it. However, I will be somewhere in the stadium. It won’t be the same, but it will be a different experience.”
“80-90% Of Squad Remains Same” – Rohit Sharma On India’s 2026 T20 WC Outlook
Rohit Sharma feels Team India will be a formidable force in the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the core squad from their 2024 title-winning campaign largely intact. The Men in Blue have been in impressive T20I form, securing victories in 17 of their 20 matches since the beginning of 2025.
“About 80 to 90 per cent of the squad has remained the same since the last T20 World Cup. They have been playing together for almost two years now, which creates a strong understanding. When you are heading into a World Cup, the only aim is to win it. For that, you need open conversations and sometimes hard conversations as well,” said Rohit (via the aforementioned source).
Rohit Sharma continues to hold the record as India’s highest run-scorer in T20Is, amassing 4,231 runs, including a record five centuries, in 159 matches. Even without him and Virat Kohli in the upcoming T20 World Cup, Team India is widely regarded by fans and experts as a strong favorite.
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