I was always in favour of India winning T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma deserves it: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar said that Rohit Sharma deserves to win the T20 World Cup 2024 after the star batter led India to the finals by beating England by 68 runs in the semifinals on Thursday, June 27.

India produced an all-round effort at the Providence Stadium in Guyana to knock the defending champions out of the marquee event. Rohit top-scored for the Men in Blue for the second game in a row as India reached the finals of the T20 World Cup for the third time after 2007 and 2014.

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Akhtar said he was hurt when India lost the World Cup final last year as he feels they deserved to win. The cricketer-turned-expert hailed Rohit as a selfless captain and a complete batter, who deserves to lift the World Cup title.

“I was always in favour of India winning the tournament. I was hurt last year when India could not win the World Cup as they should not have lost it because they deserved to win,” Akhtar said on his official YouTube channel.

“Rohit Sharma has repeatedly said he wants to make an impact and win the trophy and so, deserves to win the cup. He is a big player, and it should end on a big note. He is a selfless captain, plays for the team and is a complete batter,” Akhtar added.

Rohit has also been India’s standout batter in the 2024 T20 World Cup. In seven matches, he has amassed 248 runs at an average of 41.33 and a strike-rate of 155.97, with three half-centuries and a top score of 92 against Australia to his name. He will look to continue his purple patch and help India end their ICC title drought on Saturday, June 29, in the summit clash against South Africa in Barbados.

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In the semifinals, India set a target of 172 for the Three Lions. The Indian bowlers were on the money from the get-go and dismissed their opposition for just 103 in 16.4 overs to avenge the semifinal defeat from last edition's T20 World Cup in 2022.