Rohit Sharma’s India favourites to win T20 World Cup 2022 or not?

India will kick off their T20 World Cup 2022 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on Sunday, October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They will then play Bangladesh, South Africa and two teams from the Group stage. A top-two finish in their Super 12 category will take the Men in Blue to the semi-final.

However, India legend Kapil Dev said he does not think Rohit Sharma and co can make it to the top 4. 

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“In T20 cricket, the team winning a match can lose the next… It’s a very difficult to talk about the chances of India winning the World Cup. The issue is can they make it to the top four? And I am concerned about their making it to the top four, only then anything can be said. For me, it’s just a 30 % chance of India making it to the top (last) four,” the 1983 World Cup-winning captain said. 

Former selector Saba Karim had something similar to say. Kapil Dev’s former teammate, Sunil Gavaskar, said that if India doesn’t win the World Cup, it will come as a real surprise given the numerous preparations the team has undergone.

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“One thing for sure. If the Indian team does not win this T20 World Cup it won’t be for lack of preparation. Not only have they gone to Australia almost three weeks before their first game of the tournament, they are also playing practice games against good sides that should get them ready for the tournament,” he said. 

India’s last ICC trophy came back in 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy. Since then, they lost 2015, and 2019 ODI World Cups – both in the semi-finals, 2014, 2016 and 2021 T20 World Cups, 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2021 World Test Championship. 

Last year, team India were knocked out of the tournament’s group stage following losses vs Pakistan and New Zealand. They are missing Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. 

Skipper Rohit Sharma said that it is time for individuals to step up and get India the title. 

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“If individuals can keep themselves calm and composed during the game we will get the results that we are looking for. It has been a while since we won the World Cup.”

“Every time you come for a World Cup it is a great feeling. We had a great camp (training) in Perth. We won two series at home recently but Australia will be a different challenge. Conditions will be challenging but there is a reason why we came here early,” he said.