Rohit Sharma Expresses Confidence in Indian Cricket’s Rising Momentum, Hopes Men’s and Women’s Teams Will Continue Winning Global Titles
Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday expressed optimism that the country’s men’s and women’s cricket teams will continue to ride the wave of recent international success and bring even more honours to India in the years ahead.
Reflecting on a remarkable period for Indian cricket, Rohit said the consistent victories in global tournaments have created a powerful sense of momentum that could pave the way for further triumphs.
India’s impressive run in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments began when Rohit guided the national men’s side to victory in the T20 World Cup in 2024.
The success was followed by another historic milestone when the Indian women’s team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025.
That same year also witnessed the country’s Under-19 women’s squad winning the global T20 championship, marking an extraordinary period of achievements across different levels of Indian cricket.
The winning momentum continued into 2026, as India’s Under-19 men’s team captured the ODI World Cup for a record sixth time, reinforcing the country’s dominance at the junior level.
Shortly afterwards, the senior men’s T20 side, led by Suryakumar Yadav, created history by becoming the first team to win the ICC T20 World Cup three times, clinching the latest title last Sunday.
Rohit, who serves as one of the prominent ambassadors of the T20 Mumbai League, spoke during the official announcement of the fourth edition of the men’s tournament and the inaugural season of the women’s competition.
Expressing pride in the national teams’ achievements, he said the performances witnessed over the past few years have been truly inspiring.
“I feel extremely pleased and proud when I look at what Indian cricket has accomplished in the last few years,” Rohit said. “Both the men’s and women’s teams have performed brilliantly on the global stage.
Watching the women’s team lift the World Cup in Navi Mumbai was a wonderful moment for everyone who loves the game.”
The veteran batter also praised the recent success of the men’s team and expressed hope that these achievements are only the beginning of an extended era of dominance.
“What the men’s team accomplished recently was simply outstanding. I hope this marks the start of an even bigger journey, and that there is no turning back from here,” he remarked.
“Once a team gathers momentum, it becomes very important to maintain it. Both our men’s and women’s sides now have that momentum, and I sincerely hope they continue building on it in the coming years.”
Credit to the Support System Behind the Scenes
Rohit emphasised that the achievements of Indian cricket are not solely the result of players’ performances on the field.
According to him, countless individuals working behind the scenes play an equally crucial role in enabling teams to succeed at the highest level.
“There is no hidden formula for success,” he said. “It ultimately comes down to dedication and relentless effort. Both the men’s and women’s teams have put in immense hard work to reach where they are today.”
He added that the contribution of coaches, trainers, support staff, administrators, and many other professionals often goes unnoticed, even though their work is vital for building a successful team environment.
“It is not only the players performing in the middle who deserve recognition. There are many people behind the curtain who invest enormous effort to make sure everything functions smoothly so the team can perform well. All of them deserve appreciation,” Rohit noted.
Talent, Hard Work and a Touch of Luck
The 38-year-old cricketer also spoke about the journey young players take before reaching the national level. While talent and determination are essential, he explained that good fortune and timing also play an important role in a cricketer’s career.
“When someone gets selected for the Indian team, it is because they have proven their ability,” Rohit said. “But in a country like India, where the competition in cricket is so intense, you also need a bit of luck.”
He explained that aspiring cricketers often face fierce competition right from junior age groups such as Under-14 and Under-16 tournaments, where thousands of players compete for limited opportunities.
“Skill and dedication are extremely important, but sometimes you also need to be noticed at the right moment by the right people,” he said.
“A player may have enormous talent, but if the opportunity to showcase that talent doesn’t arrive at the right time, he may miss out.
That element of fortune also plays a role. However, one thing remains constant — there is absolutely no alternative to hard work.”
Growth of the T20 Mumbai League
Rohit also spoke about the growing stature of the T20 Mumbai League, which returned last year after a brief pause for its third season. The competition is set to expand further this year, featuring an eight-team men’s tournament along with a three-team women’s league running simultaneously.
Recalling the challenges faced while organising the previous season, Rohit acknowledged the efforts of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and the ground staff.
“It was quite challenging to conduct the tournament immediately after the IPL when the monsoon season had already begun,” he said. “Organising multiple matches in a single day is never easy, and the MCA deserves tremendous credit for managing everything successfully.”
He also praised the groundsmen and stadium staff whose tireless efforts ensured that the venues were prepared and maintained despite difficult weather conditions.
“I would like to applaud all the groundsmen who worked tirelessly to keep the pitches and outfields ready,” Rohit said. “Their dedication shows once again that hard work is the backbone of any successful sporting event.”
With the addition of new women’s teams, Rohit believes the league will continue to expand and provide more opportunities for emerging cricketers from Mumbai to showcase their abilities.
“This tournament is growing bigger and stronger, and it will play an important role in developing the next generation of cricketers,” he concluded.
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