New Delhi: Rohit Sharma-led India will be aiming to reach their first T20 World Cup final since 2014 when they lock horns with defending champions England in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday, June 27. In what will be a replay of the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final between the two teams, India will be hoping to avenge their 10-wicket defeat at the hands of England in the last edition of the tournament.
Ahead of the all-important semi-final, former India batter Virender Sehwag has sent an epic message to the Indian team to lift their spirits. Sehwag wants India to win the T20 World Cup 2024 title for head coach Rahul Dravid. Dravid’s tenure is all set to end after the conclusion of the tournament and he has already confirmed he won’t be seeking an extension.
Former India captain Dravid led India in the 2007 ODI World Cup where the Men in Blue endured an abysmal campaign as they failed to make it past the group stage, suffering a shocking defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. Dravid, one of the legends of Indian cricket, made significant contributions to the team’s success across all formats as a player but failed to win a World Cup with the team.
Sehwag wants Rohit & Co. to give Dravid a deserving farewell by making him win the T20 World Cup title as a head coach. Recalling how India played to win the ODI World Cup title for Sachin Tendulkar in 2011, Sehwag said Rohit’s men should do something similar for Dravid.
“We played the 2011 World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar. So, this T20 World Cup can be for Rahul Dravid. At least as a coach he gets to win the World Cup and get the badge of being a World Cup winner, which he didn’t get as a player,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
Virender Sehwag lauds Rohit Sharma
Sehwag lauded skipper Rohit for his batting masterclass against Australia in India’s final Super Eight clash against Australia. Rohit took the Aussie bowlers to the cleaners en route to his sensational knock of an unbeaten 92 off 44 balls which was laced with seven sixes. Rohit’s knock helped India post a huge total of 205 runs on the board and beat Australia by 24 runs to qualify for the semis.
“I have never seen better entertainment than this in this World Cup. I was expecting that he would be at the crease for just the first six overs. But he batted even after the powerplay, and look what he did. He made our hearts happy, what more do you want?” said Sehwag.
India are unbeaten in the T20 World Cup 2024 so far and will be looking to continue their stellar run in the semi-final against England. The onus will lie on the batters to ensure India have the upper hand in the contest as the semi-final is expected to be a low scoring affair considering the conditions in Guyana.
Former India batter Virender Sehwag has sent a heartfelt message to Team India ahead of their semi-final clash against England in the T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
