The Indian cricket team go into the ODI World Cup 2023 on the back of a massive Asia Cup 2023 triumph as Rohit Sharma's men defeated hosts Sri Lanka by a thumping 10-wickets in the final on Sunday. (More Cricket News)
The win also made Rohit Sharma as one of the most successful skipper in Asia Cup folklore as it was his second Asia Cup title.
However, 2011 World Cup winner and former Team India opener Gautam Gambhir was of the suggesstion that despite the Asia Cup success, a bad outing at the ODI World Cup could change everything.
“There was never a doubt about Rohit the captain. He won 5 IPL titles. Many didn't even win once. But his real test will come in the next 15 days. You have your best 15-18 players in the dressing room now. If they cannot deliver they there will be question marks. After every World Cup, if the captain is unable to deliver then questions will be raised. Virat Kohli faced it. Rahul Dravid faced it in 2007. If India fail to deliver in 2023, then questions will be raised on Rohit's captaincy. But this team has the ability to make the World Cup final,” he said during his analysis in the aftermath of the match on Star Sports.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday hailed his team for an emphatic performance in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, saying the effort will be "cherished for a very long time".
Mohammed Siraj bowled one of the most devastating spells by an Indian fast bowler, taking six for 21, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50. The visitors knocked off the runs in 6.1 overs without losing any wicket.
"It was a great performance, especially to come and play like that in a final. Shows the mentality of the team. Very clinical. A performance like that will be cherished for a very long time," Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Our seamers are actually working really hard for many years, so it's pleasing for the side to see them get rewarded like that. I never thought the ball was going to be doing that much," the skipper said.
With three match series against Australia and two more warm-up games before the World Cup opener, Rohit feels that the team is moving in the right direction.
"We took all we can from this series, quite pleasing to move in this direction with this kind of confidence."
(With PTI inputs)
